Community Garden Built in Toms River a Beacon of Hope in Fight Against Opioid Addiction

Shore News Network

TOMS RIVER-A ground breaking ceremony was held on Saturday at the future site of the Butterfly Memorial Memorial Garden, which will serve as a serene setting for remembrance, reflection and hope for those who has passed from opioid addiction and those still battling addiction.

The garden was designed by Lee Webb from FWH Consulting.

The founders of Hope Sheds Light, Ron Rosetto, Arvo Prima, Steve Willis and their families were joined by Freeholders Joe Vicari and Ginnie Haines and Toms River Council President Brian Kubiel, Councilman Mo Hill and Chief Mitch Little for the ground breaking ceremony.

Hope Sheds Light and its many volunteers are a beacon of hope for all those suffering from opioid and alcohol addiction and their families offering counseling service, treatment referrals, resources and support for their recovery. We are all thankful for Hope Sheds Light and the many organization that are battling this opioid epidemic.


HOPE Sheds Light was started after the Rosetto family lost their son Marc to a hard-fought battle against substance abuse and heroin experimentation in 2012. When the Rosetto Family was going through this very difficult time, they struggled to find the help they so desperately needed. Since the family and friends of those with addiction problems often feel isolated, ashamed, overwhelmed and hopeless, HOPE Sheds Light, Inc. was created to provide direction, resources and hope for recovery.
Their mission is to raise awareness and educate individuals, families and the community about the impact of addiction by having the courage to share personal experiences and offer strength and wisdom to provide Hope and resources that lead to positive community change and long-term recovery.

This new garden will be a place to reflect and remember… a place to find peace, beauty and solitude. Featuring a Zen-like atmosphere for walking or sitting, the garden will be constructed and planted with flora that attract the most beautiful of butterflies to act as a symbol of transformation.

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“Anchored by our mission to raise awareness and educate families on the disease that has plagued so many, this butterfly garden will help us embrace addiction so that our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters no longer have to hide in the shadows,” said Stephen Willis, Co-founder of HOPE Sheds Light. “They can instead have the courage to change through a community that truly cares enough to share their personal experiences in order to offer strength, wisdom, hope and resources that lead to positive community change and long-term recovery.”

Hope Sheds Light will be hosting their 5th Annual Celebration of HOPE Walk on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9am on the Hiering Avenue beach in Seaside Heights. All participants will receive a yellow HOPE Sheds Light walk t-shirt, and resources will be available for family members and friends of those dealing with addiction and substance abuse. Registration is also available at http://www.HOPEshedslight.org/walk.

“This is a celebration of recovery,” said Arvo Prima, Co-founder of HOPE Sheds Light. “We’re always hearing about the negatives of the disease. But by bringing hope and education to the community, we support each other and those affected. Through our new butterfly garden and our upcoming Celebration of HOPE Walk, we will show the community that recovery is possible.”

To learn more about HOPE Sheds Light, visit http://www.HOPEShedsLight.org, send an email to info@HOPEShedsLight.org or call 732.244.0783.

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