By GARETT VALCOURT
The Eye of Hope Recovery Advocates, a local nonprofit established in 2019 to serve Holmes, Walton, and Washington Counties, will host its annual Recovery Rally on Saturday, September 27, at Westville Park, offering an afternoon of community fellowship, support, and celebration for those impacted by addiction and recovery. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2496 Cypress Street in Westville. With a mission to “help bridge the gap between life trauma and recovery,” Eye of Hope Recovery Advocates supports individuals in realizing their full potential amid recovery challenges. The Recovery Rally is a community-centered extension of this mission, bringing together families, survivors, local agencies, and caring neighbors.
This year’s rally will feature a variety of resources and activities designed to bring the community together. Informational booths will include a human trafficking awareness display, along with support from Holmes County SWAT. Free haircuts, a Toys for Tots collection, and a memorial butterfly release will highlight the day’s community outreach efforts. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office will provide food for attendees.
The program will also include testimonies and encouragement from five featured speakers: Amanda and Coty Drew, Connie Eldridge, Crystal Seay, Landon Odum, and Henry Miller. In addition to the speaker lineup, the rally will offer inflatables, a foam machine, and slime wars for children and families, ensuring the event remains both fun and meaningful.
Organizer Samantha Webster Peacock emphasized the importance of community support in the fight against addiction. “We just pray we have involvement of local leaders to invest in the community and help us to help others,” she said.
The rally will conclude with a memorial walk and butterfly release to honor those lost to addiction, while offering hope and encouragement for those still in recovery.
The Recovery Rally 2025 is free to attend and open to the public.
Staff Report 