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Darien Residents Honored At Spirit Of Hope Awards In Greenwich

GREENWICH, Conn. -- More than 270 people attended this year's Liberation Programs Spirit of Hope Benefit held in Greenwich.

From left, Bill Cary (Darien), GE Capital’s former president and COO who accepted the award on behalf of GE Capital; Debra Hertz of Darien; Spirit of Hope 2015 Chair Sallyan Pelletier of Darien and LPI Advisory Board Chair John McCarty of Rowayton.

From left, Bill Cary (Darien), GE Capital’s former president and COO who accepted the award on behalf of GE Capital; Debra Hertz of Darien; Spirit of Hope 2015 Chair Sallyan Pelletier of Darien and LPI Advisory Board Chair John McCarty of Rowayton.

Photo Credit: Provided
From left, Gov. Dannel Malloy with LPI Board member Jeff Long and his wife, Ella Long, of Darien.

From left, Gov. Dannel Malloy with LPI Board member Jeff Long and his wife, Ella Long, of Darien.

Photo Credit: Provided
From left, Caroline and Frank Burke with Lisa and Carl Wist, all of Darien.

From left, Caroline and Frank Burke with Lisa and Carl Wist, all of Darien.

Photo Credit: Provided

Liberation Programs former Board Chairman Debra Hertz was honored for her many years of leadership and guidance of the organization. GE Capital was honored for its continued investment in Liberation Programs through financial support and volunteer engagement to help deliver the best services possible.

The event, which raised more than $125,000, was chaired by Sallyan Pelletier along with Vice Chair Christy Sadler, both Liberation Programs Board members. Pelletier and Liberation’s Advisory Board Chair John McCarty emceed the event, which was kicked off with remarks by Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Michelle Howard, the keynote speaker and a graduate from Liberation Programs residential treatment center for pregnant and parenting mothers, received a standing ovation. She shared her story detailing her journey from becoming addicted to heroin at an early age to being near death before coming to the Families in Recovery Program at Liberation.

“Liberation Programs literally saved my life,” she said.

Major sponsors for Spirit of Hope included GE Capital; Elizabeth Needham and Peter Mark; Sallyan and Stephen Pelletier; Sally and John Bassler; Judy and Charlie Eaton; Donna and Dennis Monson; the Mitchell Family; Cohen & Wolf, P.C.; Debra and John Hertz; Liberation Programs’ Senior Team; Eleanor and Mort Lowenthal; Alice P. Melly; Pitney Bowes, Inc.; RDM Financial Group; Ring’s End; Meredith and Christy Sadler; Starlight Construction; TEKConn; the Bischoff and Rabenhorst Families; Cacace, Tusch & Santagata; CPB Benefit Consultants; Susan. S. DiMattia; Suzanne Grey; Ella and Jeff Long; Melisa and Alan Mathis; Judi and John McCarty; People’s United Bank and People’s United Insurance Agency; Stamford Hospital Foundation; Dr. Michael; Brook Urban; and media sponsor Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media.

Liberation Programs Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to providing substance abuse prevention and treatment programs in Fairfield County. Its mission is to empower people and their families to be free of the disease of addiction by providing targeted solutions that restore lives and strengthen the community.  

For more information, visit www.liberationprograms.org.

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