Successful Recovery Event at IronPigs Game

On a beautiful August evening in Allentown, PA, the feeling of hope and message of recovery was thick in the air amongst an impressive group of individuals congregating at a minor league baseball game. On August 2, St. Luke’s Penn Foundation sponsored and celebrated Recovery Night with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. Alumni of Penn Foundation, staff, and current residents attended the game to help spread the message that “Recovery is for everyone” and that recovery from substance use issues is possible. Prior to the game, anyone involved in recovery was invited to join hands on the field and recite the Serenity Prayer.

The event also provided staff, alumni, and current residents with the opportunity to share stories about their respective recovery efforts and to remind one another of the progress each person has made in their recovery journey. Each story epitomizes the hard work and devotion that recovery requires, but also provides hope to all those struggling with substance use issues that recovery is most certainly possible.

Undoubtedly, there is one story from the event that stood paramount in its example of the sacrifice and commitment that recovery requires – the journey of Kevin Harmon to overcome both literal and figurative obstacles to attend this event. Kevin is in early recovery and currently resides in lower Bucks County. For those as geographically challenged as I, a trip from lower Bucks to Allentown without a car is, at a minimum, a six-hour logistical nightmare requiring the deft navigation of public transportation in Southeast Pennsylvania. Despite these challenges, Kevin arrived well in advance of the game and was able to partake in the on-field Serenity Prayer.

Kevin’s trek to Coca-Cola Park exemplifies his complete recovery story and journey to live a satisfying life free of alcohol and drugs. Like many of us in the recovery community, Kevin has struggled with mental health challenges for most of his life and those challenges were central to his substance use issues. Nonetheless, Kevin has bravely taken the necessary steps to address both his mental health and substance use issues and is now four months into his recovery. Both creative and innovative, Kevin plans to share his talents by selling some of his artwork and recent inventions at upcoming recovery events, with all profits being donated to Penn Foundation’s ongoing recovery efforts. It is the kind of selfless, courageous story that will serve as inspiration for the recovery community for years to come.

Too often, people today misconstrue miracles as magic tricks and last second, half court shots. However, true miracles are the stories of recovery and people bravely staring their substance use issues directly in the face, taking the necessary steps to recovery. Stories like Kevin’s and the many in attendance at Coca-Cola park that beautiful August night.