12 Miles for Recovery

October 5, 2024

Greetings,

The 12 Miles for Recovery Walk represents the process that a person undergoes individually and collectively through the support and assistance of others in the recovery community. Recovery is a journey. There is no magic, quick fix. It must come through a willingness to change our attitudes and ideas that had driven us to the brink of insanity and utter ruin. In order to change our lives, we must do things we are not accustomed to doing. There is nothing comfortable about change, but it is imperative that we step out of our comfort zone and do things that we do not want to do. There are many obstacles on our journey. The path is not always a smooth and easy one. Only through an honest self-appraisal can we muster the courage to surrender our will and become fully committed to staying with our walk, even when the way becomes difficult and treacherous due to the cunning and baffling powers of our addiction.

The journey is only possible through the support of those within the recovery community, the loving support of our friends and family, and the financial contributions from donors like YOU! Your financial contribution helps to house, feed, and provide services to men in early recovery from the disease of addiction. So many of them come to us completely broken, homeless, jobless, shut out from family, and spiritually devastated. Your donation helps them get back on their feet and begin the long process of healing and rebuilding their lives through recovery.

We are seeking sponsorships for the 4th annual 12 Miles for Recovery Walk to raise money for the House of Hope of Madison County. As you may be aware, the House of Hope is a 90-day in-house program of recovery. Our goal is to provide a low-stress, supportive environment for those new in recovery, following the principles of AA/NA. While a resident at the House of Hope, clients are required to refrain from using drugs or alcohol and actively participate in their recovery. They do this by passing all random drug screens and completing a service plan of recovery, which includes attending daily AA/NA meetings, reading approved AA/NA literature, performing daily house chores, and obtaining and maintaining full-time employment or volunteer work. At the heart of all recovery is giving back freely that which we received freely from others.

To this end, the House of Hope is always looking for opportunities to serve our community. We are usually the first ones to show up and the last ones to leave at an event, helping set up and tear down for fundraising events.

Four years ago, as we were finishing up at a fundraiser for another event, it occurred to us that we could do our own fundraiser. After much thought and prayer, the idea was revealed: 12 Miles for 12 Steps. This began our decision and commitment to prepare for a 12-mile walk to represent recovery and to raise funds for the House of Hope and Willow Place.

Keeping in line with our commitment to participate in the healing of others even beyond our Residential Facilities, we have decided to help in that process by donating 10% of funds raised to the Willow Place women’s shelter.

We request participation at the following levels, but these are only suggestions. Every contribution is welcome and greatly appreciated:

1. Sponsorship with corporate logo on Walk T-shirts: $300 minimum

2. Sponsorship for a one-mile segment of the walk: $100–$299

3. Sponsorship of individuals for each mile they walked

4. Sponsorship at any level

The walk will begin at 8:00 AM on October 5, 2024, at the Anderson City Building parking lot, 120 W. 8th Street, Anderson, Indiana. We would like to encourage the sponsors to come out and walk the 12 miles with us, or the last mile, which represents our continued commitment to helping others in need. The walk will begin across from the jail, representing where a lot of our journeys began. The walk will end at the House of Hope, 902 High Street, Anderson, Indiana, at approximately 12:30 PM.

All contributions are tax-deductible, and donations of $250 or more will be accompanied by the appropriate tax receipt. We welcome your participation and invite you to attend the after-party for live music, food, and fellowship following the walk at 12:30 PM at the House of Hope.

Thank you for your time and attention to our much-needed assistance.

YOU GIVE THEM HOPE!!!

Gratefully Yours,

Travis Isaacs, Director
House of Hope of Madison County