On Dec. 10, 2019, Message Carriers of Pennsylvania held the 17th Annual Tree of Life Celebration at PETRA International Ministries in Penn Hills. This year’s Tree of Life awardee is Janice Meinert, MSW, Paralegal in the Pittsburgh Office of the PA Health Law Project, and Message Carriers Advisory Board Member.
Through the Tree of Life, Message Carriers is seeking constituency building by promoting advocacy awareness projects; challenges stigma and recognizes individuals who have made an impact in the struggle against alcohol and other drug use. The Tree of Life also provides a special opportunity to remember and commemorate those who have lost their lives to this misunderstood illness.
The event featured words of support from Steve Choder, Message Carriers Board Member and person in long-term recovery. Elder George Flemings of Allegheny Family Network, gave a message of hope. Joann Cyganovich, Message Carriers Board Member, passed the torch to the 2019 Tree of Life awardee, Janice Meinert. Minister Valerie Hillard, provided two musical selections. The event closed with a recovery countdown, which started with an applause for everyone with 40 years or more of clean time, and ended with an applause for everyone with 24 hours or less.
Robin Horston Spencer, Message Carriers Executive Director; and Janice Meinert, PA Health Law Project Paralegal and Message Carriers Advisory Board MemberJoann Cyganovich, Message Carriers board member, passed the torch to Janice Meinert, 2019 Tree of Life awardeeSteve Choder, Message Carriers Board Member and person in long-term recoveryMinister Valerie Hillard gave two beautiful musical selections during the programMessage Carriers volunteers, Anita Bandy and Adrienne SmithRobin Horston Spencer, Message Carriers Executive DirectorL-R: Joann Cyganovich, Message Carriers Board Member; Robin Horston Spencer, Message Carriers Executive Director; Janice Meinert, 2019 Tree of Life awardee and Message Carriers Advisory Board Member; Steve Choder, Message Carriers Board Member; Gloria Brown, Message Carriers Board Treasurer; and Denyse Littles-Cullens, Message Carriers Board MemberMessage Carriers volunteers, Stephanie Hinebaugh and Iona Runkle, led the recovery countdownJoann Cyganovich, Message Carriers board member, passed the torch to Janice Meinert, 2019 Tree of Life awardee
L-R: Message Carriers Board Members, Joann Cyganovich and Steve Choder; Adrienne Smith, Mistress of Ceremony and Message Carriers volunteer; Minister Valerie Hillard, family member in recovery; Robin Horston Spencer, Message Carriers Executive Director; Janice Meinert, Tree of Life awardee; Elder George Fleming from Allegheny Family NetworkRenee Dolney, Message Carriers volunteer, welcoming everyone to the Tree of Life CelebrationElder George Fleming of Allegheny Family Network gave a message of hopeAdrienne Smith, Message Carriers volunteer and Mistress of CeremonyL-R: Message Carriers volunteers, Adrienne Smith and Jolena; Steve Choder, Message Carriers Board Member; Gloria Brown, Message Carriers Board Treasurer; and Denyse Littles-Cullens, Message Carriers Board MemberJudge Cheryl Allen of A Second Chance and Sojourner House Board Member, and Emily Greene from Americans for Prosperity Foundation – PennsylvaniaL-R: Susan Orr, Sojourner House Director of Development; Karen Upsher, Sojourner House MOMS Supportive Housing Family Housing Manager; Joann Cyganovich, Message Carriers Board Member; and Lindsey Hayakawa, Sojourner House Development & Communications CoordinatorL-R: Minister Valerie Hillard, family member in recovery; Robin Horston Spencer, Message Carriers Executive Director; Janice Meinert, 2019 Tree of Life awardee; and Elder George Fleming of Allegheny Family Network
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