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Wheeling marks W.Va. Day of Hope

MARCH FOR HOPE — Several dozen people turned out for Saturday’s Day of Hope in Wheeling. -- Matt Saxton

WHEELING — One had 46 years clean, while another had just 19 days.

The differences among those who gathered Saturday in Wheeling to promote substance abuse prevention and recovery were vast. But many of them had one thing in common — they were those in various stages of recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Others were community members and leaders who helped put together an event to recognize those in need.

Youth Services System and Community Impact Coaltion coordinated the fourth-annual events in Wheeling as part of the West Virginia Day of Hope. More than 50 people gathered at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Chapline Street for a 12-step interfaith service. More joined them after the service for the Wheeling March of Hope, which took its participants on a walk from the church, west on 12th Street and finally to a rally point by the flagpole at Wheeling’s Heritage Port.

People who marched carried signs of encouragement for those who are struggling with addiction. They also asked for intervention, such as talking to kids about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.

During the end of the interfaith service, Martha Polinsky — senior project coordinator of the Community Impact Coalition — asked those attending to participate in a sobriety countdown. She started at 50 years, but the first person to stand and be recognized had been clean for 46. His was the longest of those who had varying levels of sobriety that went from there to less than a month.

“This is why we do a sobriety countdown,” Polinsky said. “The fellowship works.

“If you’re struggling right now, you’re right where you’re supposed to be,” she said.

Polinsky said the groups held the event to show that there are a lot of people in the community who are in various stages of recovery. She said the community can help, but individuals can, too.

“It’s just really, really hard in the beginning to change everything,” she said. “It gets better but you need to reach out for that help. It’s not easy.”

Rabbi Joshua Lief, of Temple Shalom in Wheeling, said he believes the event was a good way to recognize the diversity in the community.

“It’s a journey of hope for a better tomorrow for everyone,” Lief said.

Day of Hope, which was celebrated statewide, has its roots in Wheeling. It spread, in part, after West Virginia Council of Churches became a partner in the project.

Lief was among several faith-based leaders in Wheeling who participated in the event. They also included the Rev. Joel Richter, who said too much time is spent on debating the moralities of substance abuse instead of promoting grace for those who are trying to cope with it.

“There are so many people still suffering,” said Richter, who is the pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozart. “(The Day of Hope) breaks the stigma.”

Meanwhile, the city of Wheeling also supports the event. Councilwoman Wendy Scatterday, who is chairwoman of the city’s Health and Recreation Committee, said the city is actively working on ways to help prevent substance abuse. She was on hand Saturday, marching along with faith leaders and those who are battling in their recovery.

“The day of hope is a disrupter for good,” said Scatterday. “The best anecdote is community.”

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