Malden Overcoming Addiction’s annual Celebrate Sober event welcomes the New Year

Special to The Advocate

Club 24 was rocking on New Year’s Eve as more than 100 people celebrated the arrival of the New Year at the annual Celebrate Sober event sponsored by Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA). DJ Scott Elias was masterful in playing something for everyone, and the dance floor was busy all night!

This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Bobby Crowley, a Club 24 member and supporter and one of the original members of North Shore Acappella. Bobby’s daughter, Julie Crowley, the owner of Bobby C’s Ristorante, graciously donated the food for the event. Julie has been a longtime MOA supporter.

Mayor Gary Christenson made opening remarks to the crowd, thanking them for their hard and enduring work in supporting those with substance use disorder. He highlighted the continued decline in overdoses and fatalities in Malden over the past three years. He credited Club 24, MOA and The Bridge Recovery Center for their collective efforts.

Mayor Christenson also recognized City Councillors Steve Winslow, Peg Crowe and Barbara Murphy for their service in hosting the water and juice bar for the evening. The Mayor gave special thanks to Councillor Murphy, who stepped down from the City Council after many years of dedicated service. The Mayor also announced that Murphy will be staying on as a member of the Opioid Task Force for the City of Malden.

MOA Board of Directors President Paul Hammersley thanked everyone in attendance and highlighted some of the work MOA and others are doing. He spoke humbly about Bobby Crowley and what he meant to Club 24 before his untimely passing. Paul also thanked Club 24 for their hospitality and Bobby’s daughter, Julie, for her continued contributions to MOA.

Tito Garcia, a member and employee at The Bridge Recovery Center, gave his personal testimony as the final speaker. He spoke about the gift of seeing his own worth; he thanked MOA and The Bridge for supporting him in his personal journey.

A longtime supporter, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, stopped by to bring his well wishes as did Malden Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald, a consistent supporter of MOA.

The night ended with a group holding hands in a circle on the dance floor, bringing in the New Year and celebrating sobriety.

For more information, contact MOA at https://www.maldenovercomingaddiction.com/

See more photo highlights at: www.Facebook.com/advocate.news.ma