Hundreds turn out to celebrate recovery at Recovery Raw Benefit Dinner

Hundreds turned out Sunday night to hear stories of hope and recovery and remember those lost to addiction during the third annual Recovery Raw benefit dinner at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. 

For Recovery Raw founder Eric Rippy, the night was another opportunity to support Putnam County, help reduce recidivism and honor and celebrate all those who have faced addiction. 

"It is great to watch frowns go to smiles. The good thing about tonight is we get to see recovery. One thing I have heard three different times is the people in the streets known once you come to Recovery Raw, it is over. You better be ready when you walk in because all the BS is over," Rippy said. 

Rippy said in 2016, only two to three would sit around and talk at Recovery Raw meetings, and today, there are upwards of 80 adults and 25 kids in the Recovery Raw kids program. 

"You made us family. You made us the beneficiary for grants. You hosted benefit rides for us and when you lost loved ones, instead of flowers, you asked for donations to go to Recovery Raw," Rippy said. 

The night also featured speeches by those whose lives were impacted by addiction. 

Nate Smith is one such individual, who gave his testimony during the dinner. 

"What a difference a year makes. A year ago today, I was being transported from one county to another. That 60-mile drive is one I will remember forever," Smith said. 

Smith said he didn't think there was anything wrong with his prior lifestyle and didn't think attending Recovery Raw would make a difference. 

"I got down on my knees, prayed and picked up a Bible. On Aug. 3, 2023, I was released from jail, picked up by my sister and went to Recovery Raw. I found a room filled with people that I grew up and used with," Smith said. 

Brynn Hall also shared her testimony, noting she has been clean for over a year. 

At age 15, Hall said she tried meth for the first time and over the years, she became addicted to pills, meth and endured losing her children. 

However, her story is one of redemption, as she was able to celebrate on stage with her children and husband after her speech. 

For Carrie Bolen, her life will forever be changed as a result of drugs. 

"April 10, 2024, my life changed. At 11:58 p.m., I woke up to six missed calls and knew it was about my daughter. I called my ex husband back and he said, "She's gone, Carrie." Those words still ring in my ears today," Bolen said, remembering her daughter, Olivia Ryland. 

Bolen said her daughter found drugs and alcohol to numb her depression. 

"We knew we couldn't save her. If Earthly love could save her, she'd be here today. It took almost 48 hours to find a treatment center in Florida that would accept her. She stayed 53 days, relapsed and came home. I have anger with the lack of readily available resources," Bolen said. 

Jill Albers, children's program director at Recovery Raw, said that while Greencastle and Putnam County may be small, she has seen the good outweigh the bad on more than one occasion. 

"The Recovery Raw community may be little, but this kind of love and support, you won't find that in a big city. The best part is when children ask us to help celebrate their mom and dad's sobriety. We have 20-22 kids each Thursday, but have had as many as 33, which is nice because parents are getting their kids back," Albers said. 

Melissa Miller-Jones recounted her first time getting involved in drugs and what helped her break the addiction, which sadly, involved a very personal loss. She said the loss of her daughter, Keridan Ka'mea Lei Lani Manaios Hollis, prompted her to get sober. 

Miller-Jones said she was arrested for the first time at the age of 33. 

"Sobriety has been hard the last year and a half. Trauma has happened for us to use. The last time I was in jail was October 2022. I got a call in jail that my daughter passed away. I decided to get clean and meet with Eric at Recovery Raw," she said. 

For Josh Mitchell, the dinner was the first one that he actually walked into, noting in his speech, the last two years he would pull into the parking lot and turned around, heading back home. 

Miller said his addiction began after he lost his father at the age of 11 and he turned to marijuana before "graduating" to meth. 

"In 2016, I was doing time and got called to the office for a phone call. I didn't know what to expect, but my sister had been in an accident where the driver and all the passengers had used heroin. I got out and fell face first. There was no limit to try and numb the pain," he said. 

After a series of DUI's and jail time, combined with personal losses due to deaths and a stint on house arrested, Mitchell showed up to Recovery Raw for the first time and has excelled since. 

"I watched peopled get their family and kids back and people go from victims to victors," Mitchell said of Recovery Raw. 

The final speaker of the night was Chasity Bradford, who actually spoke at the first dinner. She recalled her speech from that night, as well as celebrating the fact that on May 17, she will be clean for four years. 

For Rippy, the night allowed him to remember his own story of addiction and redemption. 

"Tonight is all about the things you've heard and the speakers. I could have been released in 2016 and gone anywhere in the United States, but God moved me to Putnam County. With the doors God's opened, and all of you in our corner, we are only starting," Rippy said.