The inaugural Eammon’s Heart Paddle for Prevention sent about a dozen kayakers on a journey down the Merrimack River from Haverhill to Newburyport. The event, which took place in late September, was intended to increase awareness of and erase the stigma associated with addiction. It also raised funds to support addiction-prevention programs in Haverhill.
Helen Sheehan, the CEO and founder of Eammon’s Heart Foundation for Prevention and Recovery, lost her son, Eammon, to substance addiction last year. The foundation is a way to honor his memory and to “to inspire a path to a safer community for our youth. To change the dialogue around the stigma and shame of addition.”
Sheehan settled on the Paddle for Prevention fundraising idea because it pays homage to her son’s love of the water and involves Haverhill’s natural resource, the Merrimack River. Local community leaders and businesses stepped up to help support this great cause. Plum Island Kayak donated the kayaks and gear for participants.
It took the group about six and a half hours to paddle from Haverhill to Newburyport, with a quick stop in West Newbury for sandwiches and refreshments. Visit eammonsheart.org for more information or to make a donation.
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