February Better Life in Recovery Community Event Planning Meeting

Better Life in Recovery is transforming lives with recovery. Our mission is to deal hope and reduce stigma surrounding addictions and mental health through community service, education and awareness events that celebrate people in long-term recovery. We are trying to make an impact on recovery with recovery!

There was an assortment of people in attendance at our last meeting: directors of local organizations, peer specialists, business owners, members of various recovery fellowships and people who regularly volunteer for BLiR. I am one of those volunteers, which means I work for free…………………if you call working getting to do what you love.  We talked about plans for various events, both one time and weekly events, for 2015.

This year is ambitious!

1.      Bowling with BLiR - Starting February 15^th, we will have bowling and fellowship EVERY SUNDAY at Lighthouse Lanes from 6-9. Our first night 12 people braved the sleet and snow to come hang out. It is $5 for your shoes and first game, than $1 every game after. Also $1 nachos, hot dogs, corn dogs and fountain drinks!

2.      Springfield Public Schools – The 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of every month starting in May or June we will be painting an elementary school playground.

3.      Keeping it Clean Stream Team - Every 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month starting in April we will float and clean up trash on Missouri waterways. We will also do water testing for the Conservation Department.

4.      Ride for Recovery – A motorcycle ride in May, from Springfield to Rockaway Beach, we will raise money for BLiR events and collect toiletries for a local women’s residential facility

5.      Getting Dirty for Staying Clean 5K/10K trail run and family fun BBQ, with a date of either September 5^th or 12th.

6.      MSU 5K Recovery Run - Partnering with SoBEAR, the sober collegiate club at MSU, to do a 5K Recovery Run on campus. We will also join with SoBEAR when they do their sober football tailgates at MSU.

7.      Recovery Day at Hammons Field – To kick off recovery month, we are going to beat the 300 people in recovery and their supporter we had last year in attendance at the baseball game.

8.      BLiR softball team – Fun and fellowship playing Spring, Summer and Fall leagues at Killians Softball Complex.

9.      United Ways Day of Caring – Getting a team of several dozen to have a great presence of people in recovery this year giving back.

BLiR still has unmet needs. We need volunteers, board members, a meeting secretary, donors and businesses/individuals willing to help sponsor events. We also have chair positions open: marketing/social media, fundraising, Recovery’s Got Talent and community relations. We really need your help to make this year successful!

So come out to our next board meeting on March 14^th at 1 P.M. or go to the Better Life in Recovery Facebook page found here: https://www.facebook.com/BetterLifeInRecovery