“We want the community to celebrate the work being done here” AARS opens doors for Fun Day

After a four-year hiatus, Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (AARS) is back hosting their annual Fun Day event.

“It is a client-centric event, but we want the community to see the hard work the clients are doing,” says JJ Harrier, Director of Marketing and Development for AARS about the event.

AARS Fun Day is a free event that brings together the community and families to celebrate and support the hard work their clients are doing as they work not only on the sobriety, but also work around the residential farm. The farm includes a working greenhouse, hayfields, pigs, chickens, and over 100 acres of farmland.

First opening in December 1982, AARS is a 24-bed residential treatment recovery facility that incorporates the 12-Step Recovery and a unique farm and work-therapy focus, and frequent recreational, vocational and educational opportunities.

While it may be off the beaten path, AARS Fun Day promises to be a day filled with great activities, including live music, games and activities for the family, free BBQ, facility and farm tours, produce/flower sales and a pie baking contest. And of course the annual raffle with prizes including gift cards, golfing and dinner package, a lovely homemade quilt, a Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise for 2, and 2 Alaska Airlines tickets, just to name a few.

“It is a great time!” says AARS Executive Director Bryan Brandenburg, adding that this will be a great opportunity for the community, family, and friends to see the work and meet some of the clients.

“We really want the clients to see that the community supports them,” adds Harrier.

Fun Day is sponsored by several organizations including Mat-Su Health Foundation, Recover Alaska, Alaska Airlines, among others.

The event is open to all ages and is drug and alcohol free. It will take place Saturday June 4, from Noon-5 p.m.

For more information about AARS, visit their website at https://aarsrecovery.org/ or their Facebook page.