Fun, food, shopping and trail riding support addiction recovery: Butler Eagle

PENN TWP — As attendees at the fourth annual fashion show fundraiser, Restoring Hope on the Runway, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Butler Country Club dressed up to go shopping; bidding on high-end raffle baskets and silent auction items; enjoy lunch; and meeting friends, everyone was reminded of the event’s true purpose, supporting the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s quest for addiction recovery.

Jeremy Agostino, better known as “Auggie,” took to the microphone handed to him by event host Laura Crago, podcast producer for the Butler Eagle, and told his inspiring story of hitting rock bottom before to live his best life again as a sober man.

Agostino told the packed room that he suffered many injuries as a college football player and became addicted to painkillers.

“It got me in a lot of trouble with the law,” he said.

rock bottom

Agostino said he hit rock bottom when he was arrested in front of a crowd that included his 6-year-old son.

When a judge ordered him to attend an addictions program, he found himself in a program in Butler County that included a stay at the Gaiser Center from October to December 2021.

“I tell you what,” Agostino said, “I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for the people in these rooms at Gaiser.”

He went from hospitalization to a halfway house to a halfway house, and has been sober ever since.

The moment Agostino realized the value of his life happened while on a bus in Erie, on his way back to the halfway house where he was staying.

He planned to say or do whatever it took to be released from the halfway house, and he admitted that he was making a half-hearted effort in his recovery journey.

But while he was a passenger on that bus, an 8-year-old boy ran in front of the vehicle and died.

“That was my lightning rod moment,” Agostino said in a cracking voice.

Agostino is one of those who can stay drug-free after treatment, and is the proud and sober father of his two sons.

“I have a new appreciation for life,” he said.

Sharing your story

Sami Roth, who is Miss Butler County, also shared her story of being sexually assaulted during her college years and how hard it was to deal with the attack because no one would listen to her at first.

Roth suffered from anxiety-induced seizures and was stigmatized by her friends and even administrators at her college. She even missed her graduation ceremony because officials didn’t change her seat, which was next to her attacker’s.

Roth now has a nonprofit, Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence, a podcast, and a blog; and shares her story with women of all ages.

Before Agostino and Roth’s powerful presentations, fashion show attendees mingled, dropped off tickets for raffle baskets, shopped two vendor rooms and signed up for silent auction items.

Vendors included those selling clothing, hats, hair clips, candy, jewelry, decorations, and other items.

Items available in the silent auction included autographed George Pickens and TJ Watt Steelers jerseys; Steelers and Penguins tickets; Butler County Symphony season tickets; and other top-tier awards.

Community support

Joe Mahoney, executive director of the Gaiser Center, said the show has raised $20,000 to $30,000 for the center in the four years the fundraiser has been in existence.

He said nearly $20,000 of that amount comes from sponsors.

“The fashion show really highlights community support in a rousing recovery,” Mahoney said.

Thanks to everyone who wears their best attire and spends Saturday at the event.

“I think it shows that they are involved in the cause of recovery within their community,” Mahoney said.

She said the Ellen House, which is a home for recovering women and their children, now has five residents staying there along with their children.

“A baby lives there permanently with its mother,” Mahoney said.

He explained that the mother, who is in recovery, had weekend visits with the baby at Ellen’s home, but County Children and Youth Services deemed Ellen’s home such a stable environment that the mother was granted full custody of her baby.

Mahoney said most of the funds from Saturday’s fashion show will be used to improve the outdoor spaces at Ellen’s House, so mothers and their children can enjoy the outdoors during the warmer months.

“We’re very grateful for the community,” Mahoney said. “Not all communities are like this for addiction recovery.”

Quite trendy

Many people wandered through the country club looking for a sweater, feathered fascinator or ball to buy.

Gail Gagnon wore an elegant black and gold triangle metallic jacket with a plunging neckline.

It was Gagnon’s first time at the fashion show.

“It’s a major fundraiser for a major organization,” he said. “Addiction doesn’t just involve the addict, it involves the family, the community and even future generations.”

Audrianna Bly, general manager of the Springhill Suites Hotel in Butler, attended her second fundraising fashion show on Saturday.

“I’m sorry I lost the others, because I had a great time last year,” he said.

Bly examined all the vendors carefully.

“I love to shop local, and all the local places are in one place here,” she said.

He said the Butler AM Rotary Club will be doing a project this year to benefit the Gaiser Center.

“Unfortunately, there is a stigma with people in recovery, and we need to overcome that and support people in recovery,” Bly said.

Donald Bullman is secretary of the Gaiser board of directors, and he was in charge of the 31 models at the event, who were made up of people in recovery and several of Bullman’s friends.

Stylists at Bullman’s salon, Reflections Hair Studio, did the hair and makeup for the models for the fashion show.

Bullman, who wore a knee-length metallic duster and edgy glasses, said all of the fashioned clothing and accessories come from Butler County stores.

He said those who frown upon the idea of ​​a legitimate fashion show in Butler County don’t understand the county.

“I think we have more opportunities here than people realize,” Bullman said.

Sadie Lunn, 7, wore a burgundy dress, Mary Jane shoes and a silver pearl necklace to the fashion show.

Sadie said she most enjoyed shopping at the vendor booths, where her mother bought her a pair of cheetah shoes.

“And I like hair clips,” she said.

Her friend, Madison Wetzel, 8, wore a smart denim jacket and black boots.

She liked looking more at the earrings that the vendors had for sale.

Harper Jack, daughter of Gaiser Center event coordinator and executive assistant Ave Jack, served as a fashion show volunteer.

“It’s a great event that showcases many small businesses in Butler that deserve great recognition for their styles and contributions to Butler County,” he said.

He called his mother “selfless” in all things, but especially in her position at the Gaiser Center.

“She deserves a lot of credit for this event,” Jack said. “She put her heart and soul into it.”

Michele Stockard has attended all four fashion shows.

“It’s a wonderful event and a great fundraiser,” he said.

Stockard was on the hunt for Christmas decorations and jackets on Saturday.

“And this time of year, there’s also fall decorating,” she said.

Stockard summed up the reason for the fashion show’s popularity.

“People want to help,” he said. “That’s why it sells out every year.”