Dear Editor:
On behalf of the New Canaan Parent Support Group and our co-Host New Canaan Community Foundation, I’d like to thank all those who made our August 27th Community Addiction Awareness Vigil a success.
We had 600 people in attendance on a beautiful evening at the corner of South Avenue and Elm Street. Our goal was to show, through heartfelt testimonials, that recovery from addiction is possible, and we succeeded with our amazing line-up of Alex, Gina, and Pete, all who grew up in New Canaan.
Our tagline this year was Shared Stories Saves Lives, because each time a recovery story is shared openly, there are life-changing impacts.
I want to thank our Emcee John Hamilton (back for the 9th year); our local clergy participants led by Pastors Gilbert Burgess and Scott Herr; Adam Christoferson and his Musical Intervention band; the Pivot Ministries Choir; and NCHS Ram Council’s Gray Handler for leading us in the event-ending Community Pledge.
Kudos go to our Team Orange planning committee: Colleen, Cyra, Denise, Eric, Francesca, Jacqueline, John, Leo, Liz, Liza, Meg, Melissa, Rich, Robert, and Tracy. You are the best!
We could not have successfully pulled off our New Canaan Vigil without the following partners: the Town of New Canaan (Lou Boice, Tucker Murphy, Marcy Rand, Mike Socci), Team Liberation and the Wellness Van, NCHS Ram Council, NCHS SLOBs (including parents Steve Santiago and Carolyn Susanin), NCHS NCL mothers & daughters, Cain Management dba Dunkin’, and Karp Associates.
Our generous Sponsors made our event financially possible, namely: Ascendant NY, Caron Treatment Centers, Center for Motivation & Change; CT Center for Recovery, Harmony Health Group, High Watch Recovery, Mountainside, New Canaan CARES, Paramount Wellness Retreat, Release Recovery, Silver Hill Hospital, The Lighthouse CT, NC Human Services, Turnbridge, Walter Stewart’s Market and several anonymous donors with big hearts.
Please mark your calendars for our 10th Annual New Canaan Vigil: Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
With appreciation to all, Paul Reinhardt, Founder, New Canaan Parent Support Group, ncparentsupportgroup.org, #sharingstoriessaveslives
