TOMS RIVER – A non-profit organization dedicated to help those with addiction issues recently launched a cloth face covering program that will also serve to promote its own cause of helping members of the community.
HOPE Sheds Light, Inc. (HSL), a family focused Toms River-based non-profit organization offering education, resources, support and hope to anyone impacted by addiction and the opioid epidemic, started their face covering initiative earlier this month. It features custom HOPE Sheds Light face coverings for the community to purchase.
For each purchase made, the non-profit donated a cloth face covering to a frontline worker who provided essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The response to this initiative was overwhelming,” said Pamela Capaci, CEO of HOPE Sheds Light. “Our initial offering of cloth face coverings sold out in under two hours.”
Capaci added, “to date, we have been able to donate 150 cloth face coverings with more on the way. The goal is to provide #HOPEforAll and to help those who are risking their lives to serve others.”
So far, HOPE Sheds Light has donated cloth face coverings to The Arc Ocean County Chapter, Ocean Mental Health, 21 Plus, Inc., and ShopRite pharmacy staff in Lacey Township.
“This is the least we could do to show our frontline workers how much we support their efforts in providing critical services during these unprecedented times,” Capaci said.
Founded in 2012 after co-founder Ron Rosetto lost his son Marc to a battle against substance abuse, HOPE Sheds Light acts as a voice of hope in a community in desperate need of knowing that recovery is possible. Along with co-founders Arvo Prima and Stephen Willis, and a team of board members and volunteers, HOPE Sheds Light aims to shed light into the shadows of stigma and fear.
“HOPE Sheds Light is a peer-driven organization meaning we all have a personal connection to addiction and recovery,” said Capaci.
She added, “at the heart of HSL’s mission is the desire to connect with others who have questions about, concerns with or who may just want to gain a deeper understanding about substance use, addiction/substance use disorder, and the process of recovery.”
Looking to the future, HOPE Sheds Light will host its 7th Annual Celebration of HOPE Virtual Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12. For more information visit HOPEShedsLight.org.
The group’s mission is to raise awareness and educate individuals, families and the community about the impact of addiction by having the courage to share personal experiences and offer strength, wisdom, hope and resources that lead to positive community change and long-term recovery.
