Our Fight Against Addiction

Not only was our Virtual Memory Walk / Run 2021 a huge success but it was also a deeply touching event. As we read the stories about why people participated and collected donations, we saw the faces of those impacted by addiction: some were the happy faces of those in recovery and some were the proud faces of the families who so desperately prayed for sobriety; some were the discouraged faces of those still struggling and some were the sad faces of those who have tried to help; and some were the faces of the beautiful souls lost to addiction and some were the heart-broken families left behind. It’s no secret that addiction demolishes families all over the world; we all know someone affected by it, which is why we know how important it is for all of us to join together to erase the shame that comes with addiction, to support those who are directly dealing with it, to celebrate those who are in recovery, and to remember the lives lost to this horrible epidemic.

Our Virtual Memory Walk / Run 2021 reminded us just how hard we all want to fight addiction. We had total of 370 participants: 287 people signed up as walkers and 83 people signed up as runners, creating 36 teams. There were 34 individual fundraisers and 17 team fundraisers that collected approximately $23,000 to date. We also had a pre-event Pop Up Shop on March 30, 2021 at Charm City Run in Bel Air, MD (our event partner) where participants picked up their RunKits and purchased Rage Against Addiction gear. The proceeds from this month-long challenge will help us continue our mission of providing “awareness and support to anyone affected by drug and alcohol abuse, including the family” and will allow us to successfully run our four major programs in addition to providing financial support to qualified applicants in recovery who live in Maryland. Though we are based in Harford County, MD, we think globally, and we know that our efforts here and the generosity of our supporters from all over the country will truly make a difference in the lives of those who have been battered by addiction.

The 2021 teams are:

#LoveAlways
Trekking for Terry
Ace’s Place Inc
All the King’s Horses
Allison Noel
Clan Campbell
Deale Elks
Dover Elks
Dragonflies and Honus
ELKS
Elks/in Nita’s memory
F.A.I.T.H (Finding Aid In The Heart)
Forever36
Hearts for Hannah
Here for Hannah
Jens squad
JOSHUA
LittleBits of Hope
ODOP : One Direction One Promise
Ort’s Impact
Rally for Ryan
Salty Dogs
Super John (Johnny Nussle)
Team Aug
Team CM
Team Dustin
Team Hannah
Team Hope
Team Justin
Team Kelsea
Team Kenny
Team Recovery
Team Snoopy (in memory of Dana Catalfamo)
The Emily Evans Concert for Hope
Voices of Hope
“Are we zipping?” – Fu

Please visit our 2021 Sponsor page for more information about the businesses that sponsored our Memory Walk / Run:

Harford County Government

HMS Insurance Associates
Harford County Government
The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy
Veni Vidi Vici Treatment Services
Ashley Addiction Treatment
Recovery Centers of America
Jones Junction
Builders Mutual
HMS Insurance Associates

As the virtual event stretched through April, we had the pleasure of having some of the participants share their photos and stories directly with us:

“I participated in the Rage Against Addiction Virtual Memory Run in remembrance of Nicholas Seidl. My friend Holly Margl, mother of Nicholas, is the person that decided to organize the group Dragonflies and Honus. I immediately signed up, as I come from a family that has struggled with addiction. I am all about doing my part to help those trying to fight this battle and to support the loved ones that are outside looking in. I dedicate all 235 miles run to Nicholas and Holly. I feel honored to be part of the Dragonflies & Honus group, and will continue to support Rage Against Addiction!”

-Lisa Hane (Saint Paul, MN)

“My name is Brian and I’m a recovering addict. I was once a completely broken and empty shell of a man, caught in the grips of addiction and all the chaos it brings. What started as fun and partying eventually became nothing but pain, loss, fear, and shame, and no more ways to hide or run from it. My family and friends were just waiting for the worst phone call imaginable. It was hell on earth; the disease of addiction kept telling me to give up, but there was still part of me that was tired of the pain and wanted to live again. I hit rock bottom and knew that I wouldn’t survive if I continued down this path. I needed help and I could have never done it alone. Today I have over six years of sobriety and am living a life I could only dream of before. I am happy, healthy, and I’ll do anything I can to help those who are still suffering like I was, because that’s what people did for me. I would not be where I am today without the help and support of so many people, programs, organizations, friends, family, even complete strangers who simply understood and wanted to help. I continue to work on myself every day, and I hope I never forget where I was all those years ago. I am eternally grateful and blessed, but not a day goes by I don’t think about the ones we have lost. Sober life is not always easy but it’s so worth it, I promise.”

-Brian Freeland (MD)

“I’m participating for two reasons. The first is because I’ve worked with Daughter’s House before teaching paint nights, and I got to meet the women there who are working to make positive changes in their lives. I hoped to help out by doing a paint night fundraiser, but then the pandemic hit. The second reason I’m doing this is to honor my younger brother, who recently entered a halfway house program in Ohio. He’s working hard to recover we’re all wishing him a lot of success.”

-Chelsea Carr (Street, MD)

We extend our most sincere gratitude for everyone’s hard work, dedication, and financial contributions for making this virtual challenge a success. We cannot do this alone. We are in this fight together.

Upcoming Events

Rage Club Equine Therapy

When: Saturday, June 5, 2021 1:00pm to 3:30pm
Where:
China Cat Stables
4831 Norrisville Road
White Hall, MD 21161

Hosted by Rage Club for children specifically affected by addiction. This event will include equine therapy with a licensed therapist, and is for ages 5 to 15. Please PRE-register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/150576393045

Shrimp and Bull Roast

When: Saturday, September 4, 2021 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Where:
Richlin Event and Catering Center
1700 Van Bibber Road
Edgewood, MD 21040

Join us for an evening filled with delicious food, fun games, great music (by the Perfect Beat) and good company!

Our buffet menu includes: Shrimp, Turkey, Pasta, Salad, Soup, Dessert, and much more. Please stop by our Coffee Bar (provided by Coffee Coffee) after dinner for some unique coffee flavors!

Tickets are $50/person and must be purchased in advance. www.eventbrite.com/e/148022817231

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.

5:45pm every Thursday at Mt. Zion Church – 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. 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