MANCHESTER – It was Hippie Witch Sunday recently at the Whiting Town Center.
“We were not sure what to expect as this was the first one we had in Whiting but it had an amazing turnout. It felt like the whole town was there and the crowd and the energy were great. There were hippies, bikers, Deadheads, witches, lovely seniors, and families present,” said co-coordinator of the event Haley Blossom, also known as the Sea Witch of Seaside Heights.
She added, “everyone had a smile on their faces and the vendors were so grateful for all the support they received that day. We had a lot of unique vendors with crystals, tie-dye, local artists, hula hoops, fairy hair, psychics offering readings, two converted busses, and all kinds of magical creators. For a lot of vendors, it was the best show they ever did.”
Blossom, an artist, said, “this Hippie Witch was to benefit Sea Change which is a charity that works close with people with addiction and harm reduction. Sea Change made great connections during Hippie Witch Day and gave out lots of helpful resources.”
Sea Change is a non-profit Recovery Community Organization (RCO) and Harm Reduction Center with a mission to crush the stigma of substance use disorder and what it means to be in recovery.
According to the organization’s website, the group is based in Southern Ocean County and serves anyone seeking support. “We provide our services at no cost, and we educate, organize, and advocate on behalf of anyone negatively impacted by substance use.”
“Recognizing the devastating effects of drug use and the lack of harm reduction services and peer-delivered interventions available in Ocean County, Sea Change RCO was founded in November 2020 by Elizabeth Burke Beaty, a practicing certified peer recovery specialist, harm reductionist and life coach with 32 years of personal recovery,” the website states.
Sea Change supports those negatively impacted by drug use by normalizing harm reduction, engaging in participant-driven community education, collective organizing and advocacy, community-based research and knowledge-sharing, and ending the pervasive social challenge caused by stigma that hinders health-seeking behavior.
Last year, Sea Change became Ocean County’s first Harm Reduction Center, approved by the NJ Department of Health. Their services are free and confidential. By integrating peer-delivered recovery support and harm reduction services, the organization aims to give those negatively impacted by substance use and their families the support they need to live healthier, independent, and fulfilling lives. For additional information on Sea Change, visit seachangerco.org
“The local businesses in the plaza had an excellent day, too. Every business was packed,” Blossom added. Hippie Witch is coordinated by Deb DeNourie, she’s the “Hippie” and Haley Blossom, the “Witch.”
Blossom was excited to announce that, “our next Hippie Witch is July 14 from 10 a.m.-5p.m. at the Whiting Town Center 108 Lacey Road. We will be benefiting Wild Exotics Animal Rescue and encourage all our animal lovers to come out and check out this local rescue.”
“We are calling all the mystical creatures in New Jersey to come together for this magical groovy event,” Blossom said.
