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Date: 9/6/2023
MONSON — The fifth annual Lights of Hope event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 3-7:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Field on 110 Main St.
The Lights of Hope is a free family-friendly event of awareness, compassion and support for those in the community who are struggling, have struggled or will struggle with addiction.
The event was created by the Addict’s Mom, a support group for the mothers of those who suffer from substance use disorder who’s mission is dedicated to giving its members a place to “share without shame” their personal journey as it relates to substance use with their family.
Monson resident Pamela West had a family member who struggled with drugs. He ended up becoming a heroin addict and was incarcerated. When he was incarcerated, West found the Addict’s Mom’s Facebook forum and started Lights of Hope as a resource fair in 2018 with a candlelight vigil. The candles were donated by Lombard’s Funeral Home and Hair It Is provided tissues during the vigil. The first time West did the fair, her son Kameron was at Phoenix House in Springfield and they brought him in.
West said, “The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department is also involved in this. They send inmates that come and speak about their experiences, how they ended up where they were and what they’re looking forward to in the future.” She went on to say, “It was really moving last year. There were three guys that spoke for about an hour and 20 minutes.”
When West became a grandmother three years ago, she realized that these families that were going through all these troubles didn’t just need resources they needed something to look forward to. This year, West received a $1,000 grant from the Monson Business & Civic Association toward the event.
For the last five events, she has gone to the Monson Select Board which has provided her with funding. Now the board has set money aside from the opioid settlement that it received from the state in a separate grant so whenever there any activities in town that are recovery, addiction or mental health related they can access that money.
From 3-5:30 p.m. there’ll be bounce houses and an obstacle course along with free food, entertainment and activities for all. Local organizations such as Parents Support Group of Western Mass, Learn to Cope Inc, Aware Recovery and Family Resource Centers will be there to present with lots of information and resources regarding addiction. Following the community celebration, there will be keynote speakers from Hampden County Ludlow Pre-Release and Mill Street Facility and the Lights of Hope candlelight vigil.
“I started this as therapy for me to help other people,” West stated. “I just want to help somebody who may need the help and not have to start where I started at because I didn’t know any of these agencies.”
She continued, “I’ve had a mom whose son overdosed and died. My son grew up with him, so I knew him very well and she’s strong enough now to come two years in a row which is huge. I hope a couple of more moms will come out this year.”