Farley to speak at Light Up the Night for Recovery event in Rhinelander

The Oneida County Health Department has announced this year’s Light Up the Night for Recovery event will take place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Hodag Park amphitheater. The keynote speaker will be Tom Farley, brother of the late actor Chris Farley.

“Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities, people from all walks of life, and all age groups,” health department officials said in a press release announcing the annual event. “Every September, National Recovery Month celebrates communities who are proud and stand together in recovery. It reminds us that ‘Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.’”

“A substance use disorder can happen to anyone,” noted Tekia Wells, AODA program coordinator and instructor at Nicolet College. “Some individuals are at higher risk of developing a disorder. Risk factors include difficulty coping, a person’s social environment, untreated behavioral issues, and, for some individuals, genetics,”

“It has nothing to do with a person’s character or will power,” she added. “Recovery is real when people receive the support they need when they need it. As a community, we can support one another by creating an environment where resources are available and people feel safe seeking help.”

“The Light Up the Night for Recovery Event embraces local speakers as they share their stories,” the release states. “Lived experience is valuable and storytelling is a powerful tool used to provide information and help us understand what substance use disorder really is.” 

“This year we are excited to welcome Tom Farley, the brother of beloved actor Chris Farley, as he shares his story of Growing up Farley: A Story of Addiction, Love, and Forgiveness,” Wells added.

Farley is expected to speak at 6 p.m. 

The event will begin with a resource fair starting at 4:30. An extended sharing time is scheduled for after Farley’s presentation.

 The free family-friendly evening will also include games, refreshments and raffle prizes.

People with substance use and mental health disorders need community support on their pathway to recovery.  

Available resources include:

• Tri-County Crisis Number (Forest, Oneida, Vilas): 1-888-299-1188

• American Indian Quitline: Call 1-833-9AL-QUIT (1-833-924-7848)

• Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line: Text READY to 200-400 or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

• Dial 211: local resources and referrals

• Text or call 988 for 24/7 crisis support

• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

• If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Check out what the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) is doing to support recovery and help spread the hope by sharing their materials (https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month). 

For more information on this event and other initiatives happening in Oneida County, contact Jenny Chiamulera at [email protected] or 715-369-6186.

Light Up the Night for Recovery is made possible through partners of the Oneida County Substance Use Coalition. 

A special thank you to Nicolet College, the Northwoods Coalition, Rhinelander Police Department, The Human Service Center, Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, Oneida County Department of Social Services, the Oneida County Health Department, and the United Way for supporting this event.