ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The IronPigs are back in the Lehigh Valley Tuesday night.
They open up a 6-game homestand against the Syracuse Mets.
And for about 500 fans, just getting to the game is a victory, as people united in recovery.
They’ll be cheering on the IronPigs, and also celebrating hope and resilience, as part of the annual Recovery Night at Coca-Cola Park.
“The community doesn’t always see the hopeful side of addiction work,” said Molly Stanton, Assistant Administrator at Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol. “We love this event here. It gives our recovery community a chance to come out and mingle with each other and be in a safe environment where there is no alcohol and just have a good time.”
Some moms and dads were taking their kids out to the ballgame for the very first time.
“To just be able to be with their families in a healthy way, to be with their family, to be with other kids and be like anyone else. And just to be with their family in a healthy way. It’s amazing to watch the kids turn around. And a lot of those children are going to be here with their families today,” Stanton said as she began setting up an information table.
The IronPigs provide the space for education. There will be information tables staffed by local non-profits and community organizations. There will also be a ‘Mock Teen Bedroom’ set up on the patio, depicting hiding places that people can conceal their drugs.
“The fact that they can come in here educate folks on the plaza or throughout the game it’s a cool combination,” said Sam Jellinek of IronPigs Media Relations.
Tuesday at the ballpark was place for a kid to feel serene, surrounded by hope and a field of green.
“To give that stability to the parents that are in recovery, really means that those children have a normal healthy, wonderful life,” Stanton said.