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In this stock photo, brightly colored bowling balls lined up in ball return. The Mecosta Osceola Substance Abuse Coalition is hosting a free bowling event at noon Sunday, Sept. 11, at AJ's Event Center in Evart.
Denise Panyik-Dale/Getty Images
EVART— September is recovery month, and the Mecosta Osceola Substance Abuse Coalition is celebrating those in recovery and their families by hosting a free bowling event from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at AJ's Event Center, 11377 U.S. 10 in Evart.
Bowling, shoes, pizza from BC Pizza in Evart, and drinks will be provided at no cost to all who attend. Bowling lanes will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. No alcohol will be available for purchase.
Shay Tullar, the facilitator for MOSAC who also works for Ten16 Recovery Network, was in charge of planning the event.
"I can’t take all the credit, it wasn’t just my idea. Ten16 has been talking about doing something like this for a while," she said.
Tullar wants to help dissuade people from the negative stereotypes and reputations associated with substance abuse disorders.
"We’re all people, substance abuse can happen to anybody," Tullar said.
Tullar said the road to recovery is long and hard, and looks different for everyone. She also believes it should be celebrated, alongside the families of those who are currently on the journey.
"The families deserve to celebrate as well. It’s something that impacts everyone," she said.
The most important step towards recovery is deciding to begin, which a lot of people don't due to the negative stigma and connotation associated with substance abuse disorders and recovery.
For Tullar, it's satisfying to be able to educate and inform about substance abuse disorders and also give folks in recovery, as well as their families, a safe time and space to celebrate the arduous process they're undertaking.
Part of this is making sure there's no alcohol at the event.
"For a lot of folks in recovery, especially early, going bowling can be triggering because people are drinking all around you. So we’re bringing them bowling without that triggering element of having alcohol all around you," Tullar said.
