Project’s second year aims to continue battle against local substance abuse

(Feb. 24, 2022) Helping people overcome substance abuse issues is the impetus for the second annual “Berlin Goes Green for Recovery” fundraising campaign that promises to adorn numerous storefronts with green shamrocks bearing best wishes.

Worcester Goes Purple founder Debbie Smullen, who works with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, said the St. Patrick’s Day holiday outreach project collected approximately $1,400 last spring.

“We were just looking for something to bring awareness to recovery,” she said.

Although September is designated as annual recovery month, Smullen said that highlighting addiction battles year round is important.

“This is something people struggle with every day,” she said.

Following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, the recovery fight became more challenging.

“It’s been very hard for people to stay in recovery and to continue on during this time,” she said.

Smullen stressed that recovery patients need to have face-to-face contact with support groups, because remote meeting options have been less effective.

“They (recovering patients) depend on routine and all of us know during covid there was no routine,” she said.

Hoping to maintain focus on the recovery community, Smullen envisioned a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising effort last spring.

“Last year was the first we did it and we’re hoping for more participation this year,” she said.

In addition to the Main Street businesses that joined the campaign in 2021, Ocean Downs Casino also jumped on board.

“We gave them a special plaque because they were sort of in a different category,” she said. “They did a wonderful job of promoting it at the casino and they actually will do it again this year.”

Support from area businesses was overwhelming in 2021, with paper shamrocks purchased for a minimum $1 donation quickly filling shop windows.

“The businesses here are good about helping with community projects and nonprofits,” she said.

Because of support from a wide range of entities, organizers ranked collection totals separately for retail services and food establishments.

“We had two winners and gave plaques,” she said.

Leading the pack for retail was Oh My Hair at 29 Broad St., while Island Creamery at 120 N. Main St collected the top dollar amount for eateries.

“With Oh My Hair and Island Creamery, you couldn’t even see out their windows,” she said. “They even had them posted inside.”

Smullen noted Baked Dessert Café ran a close second for restaurant participants.

“They [all] did a great job of stepping up and really pushing the campaign,” she said.

Assisting Smullen with the undertaking was Berlin Chamber of Commerce Deputy Director Steve Frene.

“We had Steve Frene dressed in his leprechaun suit last year,” she said. “He walked around selling shamrocks on the street one day.”

Financial support for the Worcester Goes Purple program helps to meet the needs of individuals in recovery. This includes helping them with support training and  securing housing.

“Anyone that has lived experience can get a Maryland certification that they are certified peers,” she said. “That helps them become employable.”

Costs for training classes to qualify as peer counselors are also funded.

“This does give them the skills to be employed by recovery houses,” she said.

Certified peers are also hired to serve in hospital emergency rooms and area health departments.

“Our peers are really our best resource,” she said. “A person that is in recovery can relate to that experience and that person.”

Patients in recovery seeking peer certification must complete classwork related to ethics, boundaries, wellness and advocacy.

Maryland certification requirements include 500 volunteer hours, 45 classroom hours and 25 hours working under a licensed supervisor.

“It is a real commitment,” she said. “This gives them the opportunity to have a skill associated with their lived experience.”

In addition to shamrocks, items available to purchase for the fundraising effort have been expanded this year.

“We’ve also added green beads and shamrock body jewelry,” she said.

All offerings require a minimum $1 donation, with organizers looking to far exceed the sum netted in 2021.

“We’d like to shoot for $5,000 this year,” she said.

To widen the project’s reach, Smullen is asking businesses in Ocean City for backing over this St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

“I know that’s a big time with the parade in Ocean City,” she said.

Smullen encourages any business interested in joining the cause to make contact by calling 410-870-5161.

“There’s no greater thing than to support a cause that helps our local community,” she said.