Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery to host sober New Year’s Eve event

DIXON – The Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery is hosting its New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade sober event Friday, Dec. 27.

The masquerade will run from 6 to 11 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1013 Franklin Grove Road in Dixon. Formal attire is recommended but not required, and the event will feature free dancing, karaoke, food from the Candlelight Inn, a 50/50 split raffle and music by DJ Just Push Play.

SVVOR is offering free child care for the evening so parents can relax while their little ones enjoy movies, crafts, pizza, popcorn and snacks down the hall.

“A lot of the events in our area are surrounded by alcohol,“ SVVOR Operations Manager Lauren Metzler said. “We’re trying to provide a safe option for people to go and hang out and do the fun things without the alcohol and the temptations.”

Guests must RSVP to attend and include any children they plan to bring and their ages. This can be done through the SVVOR Facebook event page, by using The Phoenix: A sober community app or calling 779-707-0151.

SVVOR is a nonprofit recovery community organization helping individuals struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism.

“We have a sober-living home for men in Dixon, and we take people to and from treatment and detox if needed,” Metzler said. “We also have recovery coaches that provide peer support for these individuals.”

Metzler said recovery coaches assist individuals with getting back on their feet by helping them with things such as getting their driver’s license; preparing resumes; and securing resources including food, housing and more. People can contact them for help by visiting svvor.org or calling the number listed above.

“We’re trying to build a sober community,” Metzler said. “Anybody that supports sobriety and our mission is welcome to come.”