WALDPORT — September marks the 35th anniversary of National Recovery Month and the occasion will be marked with a special, free event Saturday in Waldport.
Recovery and Wellbriety month will be celebrated with a bridge crossing Saturday during the 16th annual “Lincoln County Hands Across the Bridge” event, followed by a free lunch, speakers and activities. The observance is sponsored by Lincoln County Public Health.
The public is invited to meet in the parking lot of the Alsea Bay Interpretive Center at 11:30 a.m. and then to walk across the Alsea Bay Bridge with drummers from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
The walk is followed at 12:30 p.m. by a free barbecue lunch with speakers and family-friendly activities at the Waldport Community Center, 65 N.W. Hemlock St.
The goal of the event is to “raise awareness and recognize those who are working hard to overcome mental health and substance use challenges,” according to a release from Lincoln County Public Health, which is helping organize the event.
Representatives of treatment programs and prevention organizations will be on hand.
“Recovery and Wellbriety Month is all about celebrating the strength and progress of people in recovery, showing appreciation for those who help, and spreading the message that recovery is possible for everyone,” according to the news release.
More information is available from Sara Herd, the Public Health department’s promotion manager, at 541-265-0595, or via email to sherd@co.lincoln.or.us.