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Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families, announces the Annual Recovery Month Awards Ceremony will be held September 19 at 5 p.m. at Moorings Presbyterian Church, located at 791 Harbour Drive in Naples.

Every year, David Lawrence Centers joins the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other voices of recovery from across the nation to observe National Recovery Month. This observance, now in its 30^th year, promotes the message that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.

The 2019 Recovery Month observance will focus on community members, first responders, the healthcare community, and youth and emerging leaders to highlight the various entities that support recovery within our society. The 2019 Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks that support recovery in all of its forms.

At the awards ceremony, David Lawrence Centers will honor the following outstanding individuals and organizations for sharing their voices to advocate, educate, mentor, and help others in need of mental health and addiction recovery services:

Wounded Warriors of Collier County is being honored as a Recovery Community Supporter.

Wounded Warriors of Collier County (WWCC) is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the public’s awareness and solicit donations to assist with the transitional needs of Post 9-11 veterans and their families. Their charitable focus is on education, exercise and diet, housing, and mental health. Founded in 2010 by Dale Mullin, a retired corporate executive and Vietnam Veteran in the United States Army, WWCC has raised more than $1.2 million in support of local veterans. In recent years, WWCC has provided David Lawrence Centers with grant funding to support veterans in need of mental health and addiction treatment. Mullin also represents the veteran population as a member of the Collier County Mental Health and Addiction Ad Hoc Committee.

Captain Anthony Maro is being honored as a Prevention and Treatment Partner. 

Captain Maro is the Training Captain for Collier County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Maro, a former Navy Hospital Corpsman and 911 first responder, has more than 30 years of experience in emergency medicine. Now, a leader in his field, he provides continuing education for his department and allied agencies, such as Drug Free Collier’s medication take back events and Collier County Sheriff’s Office overdose mapping and active shooter training. Maro works closely with David Lawrence Centers and other community partners to combat the behavioral health and overdose crisis in Collier County through his work as Chairman of the Community Drug Response Team and an EMS advocate on the Community Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.

Maria Metchear is being honored as a Recovery Community Volunteer. Maria is very involved in many aspects of the recovery community of Collier County. She helps lead several recovery support groups for David Lawrence Centers alumni and women. She commits her time to carry the message of David Lawrence Center’s Crossroads addiction recovery program to the community and attributes this as a huge contribution to her journey.

The event will be emceed by WINK News anchor Therese O’Shea. The evening includes education and awareness community partner tables, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, a raffle, and the awards ceremony.

Sponsorships and donations help ensure the event will remain free to attend. Donations are appreciated and will be accepted at the event or in advance online. For donation information and event registration, visit DavidLawrenceCenter.org or call 239-354-1445 or donorcare@dlcmhc.com.

About David Lawrence Center

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers is a national leader in providing world-class mental health and addiction recovery solutions for children, adolescents and adults. The Center’s innovative, integrated treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, David Lawrence Centers creates life-changing wellness for more than 9,800 people through over 276,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.