Staff Report / cbuslocal.org

On Thursday, November 21, the Columbus Division of Fire’s Rapid Response Emergency and Addiction Crisis Team (RREACT) held its sixth annual Friendsgiving Dinner at the Local 67 Firefighters Union Hall. The event was attended by approximately 120 alumni of the RREACT program, along with their families, friends, and supporters.

Participants enjoyed a complete Thanksgiving dinner prepared and served by fire medics, police officers, and social workers from the RREACT teams. The evening included raffle gift drawings and a heartfelt presentation from Tommy, a RREACT alumnus, who shared his personal journey to sobriety.

Amy Zimmerman, a social worker and case manager with RREACT, highlighted the importance of the Friendsgiving event for individuals in recovery, as the holiday season can be especially challenging. Many attendees noted that the Friendsgiving celebration had become a significant part of their recovery journey, with some expressing that it was their only Thanksgiving celebration this year.

Tommy spoke about his struggles with addiction and the sense of community he found through RREACT. He expressed gratitude for the friendships developed at these events, stating that they provided support and understanding, which he had not experienced before.

“The RREACT team provides a safe, judgment-free zone,” Zimmerman remarked. She emphasized the role of alumni events in fostering connections and reminding participants that they are not alone.

RREACT serves as a first-responder program that connects individuals who have experienced a non-fatal overdose with resources for opioid addiction treatment.

For more information about RREACT, visit their website at https://www.cfdrreact.com/ or call 614.330.3413.

Source: Columbus Division of Fire

Source Type: Fire

Source Location: Columbus

Columbus, OH

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