A new service organization in Marion offering free hot dogs as a way to say hello to the community and to spread the message of what they are doing in the area. Marion’s Lost Promise is holding a free hot dog event on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 12 noon in front of GFS on Marion-Mt. Gilead Road.
Marion’s Lost Promise is a grass-roots organization that started out as a simple Facebook page where people could come and share stories and experiences. It was created as a safe haven where people could talk without being attacked or judged. People could ask questions about where to find treatment and, through the group’s collective experiences, find a place or solutions that would work the best for them.
“We have had addicts and their families write in and find encouragement. For some, it is a lifeline of daily encouragement,” explained Shannon Maynard, one of the Marion’s Lost Promise’s organizers. “We have had people offer to take addicts to treatment no matter how far away the center was. We’ve sent cards to addicts in treatment. We’ve helped those who have lost their family members to this horrible disease.”
From their humble beginnings as a Facebook group, they are now branching into the community. Their first event was at Marion County Children Services’ Pinwheel Play Day. Through involvement with other organizations and holding events, the group hopes to raise awareness, provide support, and help people.
“Our membership is amazing. There is not one thing that we have asked for, that someone couldn’t provide,” said Maynard. “We have people wanting to volunteer and donate their time and talents. It’s truly been amazing.”
In addition to saying hello and giving out free hot dogs, Marion’s Lost Promise will have informational literature to help people learn about drug prevention and rehabilitation.
For more information on Marion’s Lost Promise, you can visit www.lostpromise.org.
About Marion Online News
