Dream Again

Each year on the Fourth of July, we celebrate our nation’s independence with camping trips, cookouts, barbecues, and fireworks. We celebrate freedom. This year was no different for most, but for Run Against Addiction’s Angie Sanford and her daughter Ayla, this year’s Fourth of July celebration took on a whole new meaning. Ayla, then 124 days clean from an addiction to methamphetamine, celebrated a different kind of freedom with her family and close friends, many of whom came into her life as a result of her mother’s efforts with the Run Against Addiction. This year, Ayla celebrated not only our nation’s freedom, but also her own freedom from a life of drug addiction and bondage. Ayla is free to enjoy life again, free to enjoy the sound of her children playing and the warmth of their hugs, free to hope again, free to dream again, and free to pursue her destiny. 

Sheriff Chris Francis joined the celebration at the home of Brad Wilkerson, Chief Operating Officer of Legacy Freedom Treatment Center in Charlotte, where Ayla completed the 90-day drug rehabilitation program on July 2. Ayla was the first methamphetamine addict to complete the program. For Ayla and her mother, this was a Fourth of July that will remain in their hearts forever, and the team behind the Run Against Addiction believes next year even more addicts will be celebrating this same freedom. That is their mission, and they are praying and putting their faith into action.

For more information on the Run Against Addiction and Angie’s story visit www.runagainstaddiction.com. Look for more information coming soon on the Field of Dreams Community Event hosted by the Run Against Addiction to be held in Forest City in October 2014. Guest speakers will include the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office GREAT Program. This will be a free event for families in our community and will include free food, games, and free haircuts for all school-aged children. 

Rutherford County, it is time to dream again!