On the road to $1 million: Hand in Hand raises more than $700k at Journey Home Gala

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
Updated ·4 min read
Teresa Harper-Harris of the Harper Family Charitable Foundation presents Hand in Hand Recovery Director David Douglas with a $500,000 toward the organization's "Road to Recovery" program.
Teresa Harper-Harris of the Harper Family Charitable Foundation presents Hand in Hand Recovery Director David Douglas with a $500,000 toward the organization's "Road to Recovery" program.

Hand in Hand Recovery Executive Director David Douglas warned us to "get out the Kleenex; you're going to hear some stories" by the sweet tea bar at the organization's 10th anniversary celebration on April 18.

He was right. The stories were touching and inspiring. We heard from one graduated about his father grooming him to become an alcoholic from a young age, a woman who nearly died of cirrhosis of the liver, a felon who turned his life around and now helps Hand in Hand in ministry. All gripping stories that revealed the power of faith and resilience in Hand in Hand's graduates' lives.

Hand in Hand Recovery is a faith-based residential long-term recovery program for those who cannot afford treatment. The program offers a yearlong in-house program in three stages, a life skills and faith-based curriculum and five homes with a total of 52 beds.

The organization's April 18 event doubled as an initiative to add a 30-bed men’s facility to meet the growing need for low-cost addiction recovery.

“The Journey Home Gala” included a keynote address by state Rep. Taylor Michael Yarkosky, who was introduced by friend/Lake County Sherriff Peyton C. Grinnell. State Sen. Dennis K. Baxley and NFL running back Sammie Smith were also in attendance. Presenting sponsor was Blackston Financial Advisory Group.

Rep. Taylor Yarkovsky shared stories about his own recovery from alcoholism at the Journey Home Gala presented by Hand in Hand Recovery.
Rep. Taylor Yarkovsky shared stories about his own recovery from alcoholism at the Journey Home Gala presented by Hand in Hand Recovery.

The three-course dinner party welcomed donors to the charming and scenic Carriage House at Vedder Farms in Leesburg. Douglas presented a visual presentation and testimonials from program graduates.

A self-proclaimed "mailman on a mission," Douglas has been a resident of Lake County for 39 years. Before forming Hand in Hand, he worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office for 35 years. He also served as a firefighter/EMT for Lake County and is a trained Stephen minister who goes on mission trips. His missionary work has taken him to Haiti, Guatemala and KenyaFor 10 years, Hand in Hand Recovery has provided Christian faith-based, long-term recovery communities to men and women struggling with substance use disorders. They strive to equip residents with the tools necessary to become responsible and productive members of society by removing the financial barrier to treatment. The non-profit currently operates five homes totaling 52 beds in a yearlong residential program.

Hand in Hand graduate Maria Gonzalez tells her story of recovery at Hand in Hand.
Hand in Hand graduate Maria Gonzalez tells her story of recovery at Hand in Hand.

James Mixted, a certified addiction counselor and men's program director, clarified to the crowd that Hand in Hand is not just in the job of recovery — it's in the job of "people-building."

Local businesses and foundations such as AdventHealth and the sheriff's office announced large cash donations during the event's closing hour. Harper Family Foundation got a gasp and standing ovation from the crowd when representative Teresa Harper-Harris presented a $500,000 check at the end of the night.

Sammie Smith, a former running back for FSU and the Miami Dolphins, and Apopka High grad, made an appearance at the gala.
Sammie Smith, a former running back for FSU and the Miami Dolphins, and Apopka High grad, made an appearance at the gala.

Hand in Hand Recovery raised a total of $711,000 at the Journey Home Gala. "We were very blessed with the turnout and the amount of funds raised for our Road to Recovery Project," Douglas told the Daily Commercial after the event.

Throughout the night, mentions of the rising incarceration rates of people suffering from substance abuse addiction came up. When Sheriff Grinnell presented Douglas with a $10,000 check, the cheeky director said he wished he could put the sheriff's office out of business.

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Funds raised at the gala will go toward the Road to Recovery project, which includes plans to add a larger 20-bed facility, provide more help and hope to those struggling with addiction, pay off their current mortgage, and save $6,500 each month. They also hope to hire additional trained counselors and support staff, offering competitive salaries to serve the growing population of residents, and purchase new vehicles and new energy-efficient AC units for the resident homes. Their goal is $1 million.

Sheriff Peyton Grinnell presents a check of $10,000 from the Lake County Sheriff's Office to David Douglas, director of Hand in Hand Recovery.
Sheriff Peyton Grinnell presents a check of $10,000 from the Lake County Sheriff's Office to David Douglas, director of Hand in Hand Recovery.

The organization's next event, the 12th annual Purses for Purpose Ladies’ Tea and Purse Auction, returns on Saturday, Sept. 14 at LifePointe Church, 3551 E. Orange Ave. in Eustis.

The theme, "Under the Sea," suggests a dreamy aquatic backdrop as new designer purses are auctioned to benefit Hand in Hand Recovery. Attendees are encouraged to decorate their tables for a chance to win prizes for the Most Creative, Most Elegant and Best Themed table décor. A prize drawing of items from local businesses will also add to the fun.

As the Cure song says, "hand in hand is the only way to land."

To volunteer or donate to Hand in Hand Recovery, visit handinhandrecovery.org or call 352-308-8899.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Hand in Hand celebrates a decade in Lake County and raises $711K