How Many Miles Will You Go To Fight Addiction?

The impact of drug and alcohol abuse causes a strong and devastating tidal wave of destruction in families and communities. Sometimes the beginning of it may be silent or even invisible; sometimes it’s an immediate huge shock to loved ones. However it begins, there’s no arguing that addiction quickly causes immense pain, sadness, anger, and confusion and that the stigma surrounding it certainly doesn’t help those struggling.

This is why we need you. ALL of you. We invite you to be a part of something huge, unique, and life-changing. Our Virtual Memory Walk / Run 2021 stretches through all of April, allowing participants to run or walk as many miles a day as they can, wherever they can. This event is open to anyone from anywhere; you do not have to live in Harford County or Maryland to join. In fact, we hope to see runners and walkers from other states because we know that addiction has no boundaries, and no family is immune.

In the past, we held this every April at Cedar Lane Regional Park, where hundreds of people gathered together to remember lives lost, celebrate those in recovery, and help those in active addiction. It’s our biggest fundraiser each year. In 2020, we had this set up as an in-person event but due to COVID impacting our area, we had to quickly change directions and make this a virtual event instead. We still had many people take part and collect donations in honor of those touched by addiction, and it was amazing to see the generosity of our community.

As with our past memory walks/runs, proceeds from this year’s event will help us carry on the mission of providing awareness and support to anyone affected by drug and alcohol abuse, including the family, and will help us continue offering these programs:

Daughter’s House: Designed to assist women who are transitioning from substance abuse treatment to recovery; includes two sober living houses (Daughter’s House and Sister House) located in the suburbs of Harford County, MD.
Rage Club: Designed specifically for children affected by addiction to help them process their feelings and learn about the disease by offering counselor-led activities, such as equine and art therapy, nature walks, and more. The group meets several times a year.
RAA ABC (After Baby Care): Provides post-partum care packages to new mothers in early recovery.
HALO (How to Live Without Our Addicted Loved One): An online grief support group specifically for those that lost loved ones to substance abuse.
Sober Living Funding: provides financial support to qualified applicants in Maryland. Qualifications include but are not limited to verification and an interview. Availability is limited.

We look forward to this event and we hope you do too. It is certain to be rewarding, fun, and challenging. When you register as a walker or runner, you can create or join a team. Friends and family can connect with you to accumulate miles in and around your neighborhood. Will you go one mile a day? Will you challenge yourself to go five miles a day? The best part is that you can pace yourself at whatever rate you feel comfortable. You can also create a fundraiser to share in email and on social media. For those that cannot run or walk for whatever reason but still want to contribute, there is the option to make an individual donation or to donate to an existing fundraiser. We have partnered with Charm City Run in Bel Air, MD to ensure this event is easy to access and participate in. The virtual route is 100 miles and starts from the dual spanning Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland and ends at 37th Street in Ocean City, Maryland. Beginning April 1st, you can set off on your virtual journey in your neighborhood, or your local park or trails, and log your miles to see how you stack up against others. You can earn digital milestone texts and emails, share photos of your participation and those who have been impacted by addiction, and possibly be a winner of one of our awards: the individual who raises the most money will win a 3-day, weekend stay, in Ocean City, MD from June 4 to June 6, 2021, and the participant who reaches 100 miles FIRST will earn a $100 Amazon gift card. You will also receive a RunKit that consists of Rage Against Addiction goodies that you can pick up at Charm City Run in Bel Air, MD on March 30th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, or have mailed directly to your home.

In addition, if you are a business owner or think your company may be able to, please consider sponsoring this event. Not only will you help us make a difference, but WE can help YOU by acknowledging your organization on our social media pages and event information. It will be mutually beneficial.

Our sponsorship levels are as follows:
$100

We will mention your name/business name on our social media pages in a ‘Sponsorship Shout Out’

$500

We will acknowledge your name/business name and provide a description of your business on our social media pages
We will put your logo in our social media posts and on our website

$1,000

We will put your logo on our website throughout the year as a ‘2021 Sponsor’
We will acknowledge your name/business name and provide a description of your business on our social media pages
We will put your logo in our social media posts and on our website

For our official sponsorship letter and form, please contact Wendy@RageAgainstAddiction.com

We know the past year has been difficult for many people in countless ways, but we hope that you will join us this April. After a long year of unknowns and worry, and a cold winter mixed with the stresses of virtual learning, what better way to heal your mind and body than to get out there in the fresh air to exercise and support a cause that truly helps those in our society who need it the most.

In Loving Memory

It’s been about 19 months since I lost my brother. He was 5 years younger than me. I miss him and still feel like I could just call him up to say hello. His addiction began with some pain medication he was on for a work injury and it got worse. Fast. From what I remember, he lost his girlfriend and his job a few months into depending on that medication, and I guess that just fueled his addiction even more. He often said, “what’s the use?” I tried to find him help; he did finish a rehab program I found for him, secured a job at an auto repair shop, and took some online college classes but that didn’t last long. All in all, I think his addiction journey lasted about 3 years. He lost his fight at 41 years old with no wife or children to carry on his memory so I will. Our parents passed away years ago so I feel like I’m the only one here who will talk about him. It’s hard to do because I always feel like crying but I have to do it for him because he deserves to be remembered for the adventurous, sports-crazed, obsessed fishman that he was. So….until we meet again, I love you, Gino. Rest easy brother.

By: Rosa (DeBranio) Anderlen (Virginia Beach, VA)

Upcoming Events

2021 Virtual Recovery Run / Memory Walk

When: April 1 through April 30, 2021
Where: Your neighborhood

Join us, in partnership with Charm City Run in Bel Air, MD as we see how far we can go for addiction. Raise money, collect sponsors, and share your progress and personal stories on our social media pages.

https://runsignup.com/rageagainstaddiction

The Emily Evans Concert for Hope

When: May 15, 2021
Where: The Main Street Tower 29 South Main Street – Bel Air, MD 21014

Promote hope, enjoy live music, and support two causes. Proceeds for this concert will benefit Rage Against Addiction and the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center in Bel Air, MD.

Tickets are required.

Get Involved

Create a Facebook fundraiser for us on or around your birthday
Host a fundraiser for us if you have your own business or ask your employer to do so
Use Amazon Smile when shopping online
Share your story in one of our newsletters
Share our information on your social media accounts
Participate in our virtual and in-person events
Purchase items from our Wish List

Community Resources

*Please be aware that some policies, locations, programs, and contact information have changed due to COVID-19 protocols.*

Addiction Connections Resource: A non-profit organization that assists with providing resources and support for addiction treatment and that educates the community about substance abuse disorder. Located in Fallston, MD. Please visit here or call 443-417-7810 for more information.

Ashley Addiction Treatment: An inpatient treatment center that personalizes clinical programs based on individual need. Located in Havre De Grace, MD. Please visit here or call 800-799-4673 for information about online and in-person meeting services.

Celebrate Recovery: A local support group for those with addictive behaviors. Located in Bel Air, MD and Joppa, MD.

Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, MD: Contact lheitmuller@zoominternet.net or visit here for more information about meetings.
Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD: Please register here to join. *Please check out the updated information regarding meeting details.*

GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): A local support group for those who have lost someone to addiction.

7:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. *Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.*
Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.
The private national Facebook group is available. Please visit here to ask to join.

The Klein Family Harford Crisis Center: A clinic that provides immediate care for mental health and addiction. Located in Bel Air, MD. Please visit here or call 410-874-0711 for information about online and in-person meeting services.

Loving An Addict: A local support group for family and friends of those in active addiction.

7:00pm every Saturday. *Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.*
Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.

We serve locally but think globally. For counseling, or for addiction, substance abuse disorder, or mental illness treatment, please contact your area’s health department, county government, hospital, or law enforcement agency.

Rage Against Addiction Programs

Daughter’s House: Designed to assist women who are transitioning from substance abuse treatment to recovery; includes two sober living houses (Daughter’s House and Sister House) located in the suburbs of Harford County, MD. Click here to visit the Facebook page.

HALO (How to Live Without Our Addicted Loved One): An online grief support group specifically for those that lost loved ones to substance abuse. Click here to ask to join the private Facebook page. *Please read and answer the membership questions prior to joining.

RAA ABC (After Baby Care): Provides post-partum care packages to new mothers in early recovery.

Rage Club: Designed specifically for children affected by addiction to help them process their feelings and learn about the disease by offering counselor-led activities, such as equine and art therapy, nature walks, and more. The group meets several times a year. Click here for more information.

Rage Against Addiction Team Members

Wendy Beck Messner
Founder and Executive Director

Amanda Buddenbohn
RAA’S ABC (After Baby Care) Coordinator

Tara Kuzma
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Rachel Bongiorno
Recovery Coach and Daughter’s House Program Director

Mia Ellis
Newsletter Writer and Administrator

Sarah Hoover
Rage Club Event Coordinator and Volunteer

Michael Nesline
Rage Club Mascot