Building on the success of last year’s event, Daystar’s Tournament Fundraiser returns

On October 1, 2022, we will proudly host our second-annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Rich Valley Golf Course in Mechanicsburg to raise funds to support existing and new program initiatives. 

Sponsorship Levels

The Partnership Between Daystar Center for Recovery and M28 Ministry

Daystar Center for Recovery opened its doors in 1996 to make sure those in recovery from substance use disorders can give back to society and have a positive contribution to their family, work, and community. We are a licensed, holistic residential treatment center in Harrisburg, PA where individuals can find strength and support to put into practice recovery-oriented living skills that build a healthy, substance-free, independent lifestyle.

In 2011, founder and Director Emeritus of M28 Ministry, Pastor Jim Schambach, reached out to us looking for a place where he could help people connect to God and explore their spirituality. M28 is a faith-based, community-conscious movement comprised of people who help others who want to help themselves to move from poverty to stability to community. It was a fortunate connection, as staff at Daystar believe that the spiritual component to recovery is often overlooked in treatment, so we value the role that M28 plays there.

M28 Ministry engages men undergoing recovery at Daystar Center who are looking for spiritual guidance. It is a great resource for the residents who are struggling to return to the beliefs they were raised in or attempting a spiritual journey for the first time. M28 provides a safe, compassionate, and understanding environment for our patients to explore this important aspect of long-term recovery from substance use disorders.

Daystar is pleased to partner with M28, as we have witnessed impressive outcomes because of seeing the recovery process in the same light. Once shame and stigma are addressed by our two organizations, recovery and healing can begin. M28 has been proven to be such a valuable partnership, and we look forward to many more years of working together.

To learn more about M28 Ministry, please visit https://m28.us.

As we approach the new year, we are taking a look back at everything that has happened at Daystar Center for Recovery in 2021 and thanking those who helped make all these amazing accomplishments possible. With the support of so many individuals and local businesses, we have been able to help our clients build a healthy, substance-free, independent lifestyle.

December is National Giving Month and we hope that you will consider a donation to Daystar to help us promote a healthier sense of self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline for individuals recovering from substance use disorders so that next year, Pennsylvania won’t be 5^th in the nation for overdose deaths. Places like Daystar exist to help our clients put into practice those recovery-oriented living skills that lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. Will you help us with this important work? Visit our site to learn how you can help and to donate today.

December is National Giving Month and we hope that you will consider a donation to Daystar to help us promote a healthier sense of self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline for individuals recovering from substance use disorders so that next year, Pennsylvania won’t be 5^th in the nation for overdose deaths. Places like Daystar exist to help our clients put into practice those recovery-oriented living skills that lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. Will you help us with this important work? Visit our site to learn how you can help and to donate today.

One of the biggest accomplishments of the past year was organizing our first-ever charity golf tournament on October 9 at Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg. Through the generosity of 17 sponsors (see list below) and the participation of 68 golfers, we raised $25,814 to continue our mission to help people recovering from substance use disorders find the daily life skills, guidance, and support needed to recover their lives. We look forward to hosting the second annual golf outing in the fall of 2022. Keep your eyes open for a save the date message to be released soon!

We are also excited about the purchase of a building in Harrisburg that will be the home of a new gender-specific treatment center for women, scheduled to open late summer / early fall 2022. The new facility will be named after the daughter of our CEO, Fern Wilcox, and her husband, Thomas. Rachael was in recovery from substance use for 11 years prior to her passing in 2019 from melanoma. Although she is dearly missed, it is comforting to know her passion for recovery will live on through her legacy of Rachael’s House.

As we look back at 2021, we would like to acknowledge a few of the other accomplishments our team made happen this year:

• No COVID-19 cases! Daystar acted quickly to the CDC guidelines, even going a step further to protect the safety of our clients. We regularly sanitized the facilities, imposed a limit on outside activities, made free testing available to all our clients, and implemented an intense contact tracing program to drastically reduce the potential risk of exposure, keeping our staff and residents safe through an uncertain year.
• Facility upgrades – We installed new flooring at the Larry Coleman House (i.e., the Walnut Street Recovery House), did concrete work at the Canby Street Recovery House, painted and remodeled the main facility, enhanced our landscaping, and added new furniture as needed.
• Continued education for staff – Ron Sloane earned his Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation, Chris Benedetto earned his Certified Associate Addictions Counselor (CAAC) designation, and Steve Slater and Derek Singleton both earned their Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) designation. These certifications not only benefit the staff who earn them but provide an elevated level of care to our clients as well.

It is no surprise that we had so many good news stories in 2021, but unfortunately not everyone is so lucky. The substance use disorder crisis is still strong in Pennsylvania, and many lost their struggle. If your loved one succumbed to their substance use disorder in 2021 and you would like to memorialize them through a gift to Daystar, please visit our site. We will be listing the names of all these victims on our website in 2022 so that they can be remembered and perhaps help inspire others struggling with substance use disorders find the help they need to get clean and sober.

Thank you for your continued support of our vital, life-changing work. We wish you the absolute best for 2022 and beyond!

With Overdoses on the Rise, Support for Organizations Like Daystar Center for Recovery Is Needed More than Ever

Governor Tom Wolf’s opioid disaster declaration ended on August 25, but the need for substance use disorder awareness and treatment remains high, due in large part to the isolation and disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about. In fact, overdose deaths across the country have continued to rise throughout the pandemic, according to the American Medical Association. Organizations like Daystar Center for Recovery in Harrisburg are making great strides to reduce the number of those fatalities and help individuals struggling with addiction find the strength needed to build a healthy, substance-free, independent lifestyle.

On October 9, 2021, we will proudly host our first-ever Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Armitage Golf Course in Mechanicsburg to raise funds to support existing and new program initiatives. 

“Our event is geared toward generating awareness of substance abuse in our community”, said Fern Wilcox, Executive Director of Daystar. “More than ever, we need to support men and women as they embark on their journey of recovery. The pandemic has caused a 40% increase in drug and alcohol abuse across the country. Daystar is devoted to our mission and in the process of expanding our program’s reach. Your participation and partnership in our golf tournament will have an immediate impact on the people we serve.”

The day kicks off with an opening ceremony, followed by a shotgun start for the participating teams. In addition to the 4-person scramble there will be contests with prizes for the men’s and women’s longest drive, straightest drive, longest putt, closest to the pin, and more. One lucky person will take home a 7-day vacation package! After the golf ends, participants will partake in a buffet that includes carved prime rib, BBQ chicken, pasta, vegetables, salad, various desserts, and assorted beverages, followed by an awards ceremony to round out the afternoon.

“We are excited to reintroduce the Harrisburg region to who Daystar is and what we offer,” said Dr. Jim Schambach, a board member at Daystar. “We encourage not just golfers but also the media to attend this event, film some footage, and talk to our staff and volunteers. We want to raise awareness about the great work of Daystar not just on October 9, but for months to come, and we can’t do that without your help!”

To register a four-player team or as an individual golfer, please go to https://daystars-golf-tournament-fundraiser.perfectgolfevent.com/registration by October 1, 2021. At that same site you can sign up to be an event or hole sponsor. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $5,000 and include perks such as free registrations, gifts, your logo on signs at the event, and more.

If you cannot participate in the golf tournament, but still want to help Daystar’s mission of improving the lives of those with substance use disorders, please go to https://daystars-golf-tournament-fundraiser.perfectgolfevent.com/donate-now to make a tax-deductible donation.