The Way Out Recovery SCV hosted a “Celebration of Lives Lost” dedication earlier this month so families could honor and remember the lives of their loved ones who died as a direct or indirect result of addiction.

“We’ve lost way too many local residents to addiction,” said The Way Out Recovery SCV’s Program Director Bob Sharits during a KHTS interview with local addiction awareness advocate Krissy McAfee. “Their deaths aren’t only a tragic loss, they continue to have a devastating impact on the friends and family they left behind.”

Volunteers created an Angel Wing wall as a memorial display at the Way Out Recovery SCV facility, and nearly 70 participants in the ceremony posted photos of their lost loved ones to the wall. The project was revealed at a Dec. 7 unveiling ceremony.

The memorial features a large image of a set of wings and a heart symbolizing the ongoing love and unfortunate loss experienced daily by surviving family members. The Angel Wing memorial wall is intended to be a permanent dedication and remembrance to the lives of those displayed.

Family members took turns posting photos and sharing memories of their loved ones with those who attended the event.

“It was one of the most moving events I’ve ever been to,” said Krissy McAfee, a member of the local Blue Ribbon Task Force Team, member of the Action Family Foundation and parent of son Daniel Trae Allen, who lost his life to addiction in 2011.

McAfee has been sharing her story with the public ever since her son died from a heroin overdose at the age of 24.

“(Losing a child is difficult), especially at this time of year, which is a really hard time of year if you have lost a loved one or child to any kind of addiction,” she said.

McAfee described the unique ceremony as a very moving and loving experience.

The Angel Wall is available for public viewing during business hours at the Way Out Recovery SCV at 28118 Bouquet Canyon Rd in Santa Clarita.

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