One of life's greatest tragedies is when a parent loses a child. But some grieving parents have been able to transform their heartbreak into positive efforts to benefit the community.
Such is the case with Stacy Emminger, executive director of the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA), which supports those in recovery and provides assistance to families that have a loved one with addiction issues.
Emminger lost her son, Anthony Perez to an overdose when he was 23. The family decided to form DSAA after learning that other local parents were dealing the same issues. DSAA began by offering family support groups that met at the Sheetz Reception Center in Mount Joy. Emminger later became a certified family recovery specialist, and the facility opened its own office in 2015.
In 2019, DSAA relocated to a new and larger space at 78 E. Main St., Mount Joy. After being approached by Rick Kastner, executive director of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission, DSAA became affiliated with the agency. "We work one-on-one with families," Emminger said. "We guide them through steps they can take to guide their loved ones to get some help. We also offer support groups and refer (people) to treatment centers."
DSAA's latest effort is to provide care kits to those who have recently completed an addiction treatment program and are residing in recovery houses. "Our outreach coordinator has been connecting with all the recovery houses in (Lancaster) County to see what their needs are," said Emminger. "Even though our focus is the Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Marietta area, we are a county organization."
DSAA had string bags emblazoned with its logo and began filling them with items from its in-house supply of hygiene products. Also included in the bags is information about DSAA and its services.
The public is invited to participate in the effort by donating items for the bags such as body wash, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and dental floss. Alcohol-based mouthwash and hand sanitizers will not be accepted. Also needed are stamps, pens and writing tablets, puzzle books, snacks, inspirational books and vouchers for food or haircuts. An outdoor donation bin is located on the front porch at DSAA.
Those not local to the area are invited to order items for donation or sponsor a bag for a set fee. "You could order a case of shampoo and have it sent to us or donate via PayPal or send a check. All the money will be kept separately (for the kits)," Emminger noted.
Most importantly, donors are asked to send a note or a card to put in the bag. "The thing that touches (the recipients) the most is if you write a personal note. Just put your first name and say, 'Keep up the good work' or 'We are praying for you.' It makes them feel like someone (cares) about them," Emminger emphasized.
A secondary goal is to make the community aware of people in recovery houses, many of whom are unemployed and are continuing with outpatient treatment to battle their addictions. "(They are) learning how to exist without the substance they depended on," said Emminger. "We want the community to come around them. I believe the solution to addiction is community. Addiction is a very isolating disease."
Emminger pointed out that DSAA will continue to assemble the care kits as the number of recovery houses increases. "When we have enough filled bags for a certain house, we will pack them, and we will take them out. It will be an ongoing (effort)," she said.
For more information, readers may email dsasquared@gmail.com or call 717-492-4596. More information is also available at http://www.facebook.com/DonegalSubstanceAbuseAlliance and http://www.dsasquared.org.
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