A Weekend to Remember

Hazelden Betty Ford alumni and supporters gathered to celebrate 75 years of recovery during National Recovery Weekend, September 13-15 in Minnesota. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the festivities brought together old friends and new for fellowship, learning, entertainment and more—to shine light on how far we've come and how we can continue to transform recovery in the future. 

More than 1,100 people filled The Armory in Minneapolis at the Still Breaking Through Gala on Friday night. Actor Rob Lowe and musician Brandi Carlile added celebrity to the evening. Lowe's personal reflections, sense of fun and audience connection, combined with Carlile's powerful performance and her own reflections at the end of the evening reinforced the message of hope and recovery.

A highlight of the gala was when Rob Lowe invited audience members to stand as he called out the decade in which they, or their family member, found recovery. It was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the Hazelden Betty Ford community. Susan Ford Bales, the event's honorary chair and a member of our Board of Trustees, recognized the "founding families" of Hazelden Betty Ford—bringing on stage the descendants of the Butler, Carroll and McGarvey families, who—along with former First Lady Betty Ford—played leading roles in launching the organization, and continue to support it and all it stands for to this day.  

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and CEO Joseph Lee, MD, rounded out the program with touching and inspirational remarks before the auctioneer took to the stage for a very successful Fund-A-Need auction. The gala raised over $2.3 million to support Hazelden Betty Ford's mission.

More than 500 people attended other National Recovery Weekend events held in St. Paul and Center City. Friday's Welcome program featured author and Hazelden Betty Ford's Vice President of Public Affairs William Cope Moyers; recovery advocates Susan Ford Bales, "Famous Dave" Anderson and writer and comedian Maggie Moe. On Saturday, alums and their families gathered in Center City for a full day of workshops, tours, fellowship, an alumni panel discussion and a medallion ceremony.  

Sunday morning featured a special workshop with recovery advocate Tommy Rosen, followed by the Celebration on the Green in the afternoon. Participants enjoyed pastries and fun, while taking in performances by The Big Wu and The Jeff Dayton Band, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Kowalski's Market, Tad and Cindy Piper, and Brian and Marlene Dooner. 

It was an unforgettable weekend filled with inspiration, gratitude and hope and a powerful testament to the impact that Hazelden Betty Ford has had on countless lives.