Lori K.

My name is Lori and I am currently a Sync Volunteer and Retreat Leader. I first learned about Sync through a close friend. She shared intriguing stories of waterfall rappelling, drumming and bonfires with Sync. An avid outdoorswoman myself, I soon joined along for a rock climbing event and met a great group of folks whom I have come to call friends.

I enjoy participating, volunteering, and leading Sync events. It is always a safe space to explore my boundaries, connecting to others through nature and community. Sync Community has provided me social connections with like-minded people. There are countless activities in nature, opportunities for service and spiritual exploration.

Sync has supported my growth as a volunteer and activities leader offering trainings in wilderness first aid and ecotherapy. We have had the exciting opportunity to collaborate on Retreats at my “Treehouse” in the Adirondack Mountains. Working together with Sync and sharing my love of nature with others deepens my understanding of community and service. I currently sit on the Retreat Planning Committee to develop “deep dive” opportunities to explore Sync’s 4 core components; social, spiritual, service and health.

I encourage anyone who may have a glimmer of interest to take a leap of faith and join Sync on this truly rewarding adventure!

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Katharina Stuerzl

I love being part of the SYNC community for SO many reasons!

While I am not in recovery, at least not in the traditional sense (I always say I’m a recovering perfectionist), I have learned that being in nature, being of service, having a strong community of friends, mentors, and soulmates, as well as leaning into spirituality – for me: trusting the universe – are like a rock in the sea. When it gets stormy, these components truly carry you through life.

I joined the Board of Directors in October 2021 and am grateful I can support SYNC and Laura with my work in the governance committee. My background is in Human Resources, and I am a life and leadership coach with every fiber of my being. I consider myself a life-long learner and am thrilled I get to learn from my board colleagues, our participants, and friends of the community.

Growing up in Germany, I did not really learn how to authentically express myself, always felt like I had to meet other people’s expectations, meet someone else’s approval. Here in the US, and especially through communities like SYNC, I began to accept myself for who I was. Sometimes, I must pinch myself that I get to be part of such a loving, fun, authentic, and caring group of people.

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Monica Flick

I want to start by saying thank you to all the people supporting Sync Recovery and those who dedicate their time and efforts to the recovery community. I have been blessed to be connected to such wonderful people. My journey has no destination, and my commitment to my recovery has to be number one. I have learned a great deal about alcoholism and its impacts on oneself and the people around you. The whole idea of learning to be happy with yourself again is finding activities and people with whom you can connect and share experiences. Sync has allowed me to enjoy my life in recovery, and for that, I am grateful today.

Doreen Gehret

How I got involved with Sync:

My first experience with Sync was in 2016. I just was fresh out of Detox and I heard of this event, “Rally in the Valley”. I attended the event and fell in love with Sync Recovery. The following year I volunteered to help at Rally in the valley. From there I started checking into the other events hosted by Sync. I love attending the events because I always felt like part of the family. I also loved the diversity of the events which were available. I think my first volunteering events I attended was a cleanup at a campground in Bucks County. It was a hot day and hard work, then a dip in the Creek, and a campfire with a meeting. I got to know more people and started some good friendships! I’ve went on a few hikes and learned about Turkey tails! I attend one of the events with my son and was sold on the organization. I sat and spoke with some of the volunteers there and asked how I could get involved.

What has it meant for my recovery?

Sync gives me the tools to learn how to live clean and healthy. It gets me moving and I am reminded that our body, mind, and spirit are important. I have learned that we ALL need fellowship in a safe non-judgement environment and I find it here at Sync. I learned a lot of new skills. I feel so Blessed when I see Sober people and their families having fun. Where else can we go and know not only is the sober person import, but their spouses, significant other, and children are welcome!

My role with Sync:

Service for me is very important to my recovery! I completed the training to volunteer along with the training to lead. And started participating with the Events Committee. I have settled into my niche helping to organize and the Creativity Group with the help of a few other wonderful ladies. We meet the last Tuesday of the month and the Hope Center in Bethlehem. Our Group have grown so much we needed to move to a bigger room! This really gets me pumped! In the group we have made a diverse type of crafts. Some examples: Vision boards, Survival Bracelets, Tie dye shirts, Prayer boxes, Dream Catchers, ice cream, and many more. Anyone of any age is welcome, the youngest was 3 weeks old. I got my baby fix that day!

Come out and join us and see what fun activity we have planned.

Robert White

How I got involved with Sync:

I was first introduced to Sync while doing my 90 in 90 on Sunday afternoon at an AA meeting in Dublin, Pa. At that meeting, Megan Wagner told me about a rock-climbing event that Sync was having at Tohickon Valley Park the following weekend, so I signed up and showed up! I had an awesome time (as I do with every Sync event), and I knew these were the people, places, and things I wanted to be around.

What has it meant for my recovery?

Sync has played an immense role in my recovery. I needed something more than just going to meetings. Sync has shown me that I can have way more fun, laugh much harder, and do more amazing things sober than I did when I wasn’t! It’s always a great time, no matter what we do!

My role with Sync:

I am an event volunteer, co-facilitator, and attendee. I’m also on the event planning committee and fundraising committee.

Alixx Cook

I got involved with Sync a few years ago as a participant. I fell in love with the organization and became a volunteer in May 2022.

I am now a member of the Event Planning Committee and the Volunteer Development Committee and I facilitate and co-facilitate recovery adventures.

Sync has added to my life by building my community with people who enjoy having fun in sobriety.

Gabe Toth

I got involved with Sync after being required to go to one monthly event for recovery court. I noticed there was only one musical event on the calendar. Realizing just meetings are not enough I wanted to get involved in more to keep me recovery focused.

Since I have been a music teacher for 25 years I volunteered my services to have a guitar and keyboard group once a month for the past year. Since response hasn’t been that great this month starts a general music event with me at Oasis once a month. It is a way I can give back and do service to others for the blessings I have received in recovery. Please watch for “Music with Gabe” on Syncs Calendar once a month on a Sunday evening 7-8:30 pm.

Heather BD

I became a sync volunteer after playing disc golf with Per. We were talking about Sync and I said I would love to get involved… events came up like the clearing at camp to-hi and the training to guide hikes and I took advantage of the opportunity so that I would be able to offer Sync to my local friends in recovery.

I love this organization and what it stands for mostly because in my own personal recovery its been vital for me to not only abstain it is important for me to balance that abstinence with a healthy activity and to be of service by showing others that there is always another way. Sync invites us to try new things gently and includes our families… my youngest son especially enjoys being a part of our Sync family and benefits from being a part of.

I currently guide hikes and lead yoga in Carbon County and look forward to sharing more adventures with friends in recovery and I am beyond grateful to be a part of the Sync family.

Scott Fritzinger

I had joined Laura Waits and some other friends in recovery for some outdoor adventures before the creation of Sync Recovery. Laura and I also worked together to help another organization get a men’s recovery house in Allentown off the ground.

Early in 2020, as the world was shutting down from the pandemic, Laura reached out to me for help with the Sync Recovery website. As a friend with decades of corporate communications design experience, I was eager to use my skills to assist an organization that shared my values and sought to help others in recovery from substance use disorder.

Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to develop and implement a successful branding strategy for Sync that incorporates all their communications, including both printed and digital materials. I’ve also had the pleasure of leading Sync’s Communications Team and most recently joined the newly-formed Fundraising Committee. I am grateful for the knowledge that Sync Recovery is doing our Creator’s work by helping our brothers and sisters in recovery discover the wonderful new life that lies ahead for each of us.

The mission, events, and programs of Sync Recovery are very unique. I want to be a part of Sync as we continue to reach more people who have yet to experience the joy that can be found in sharing in the fun and fellowship made possible by Sync Recovery.

Cathy Campanaro

I was introduced to the Sync Recovery Community in November of 2021. I presented my first drum circle for Sync in December of 2021 and I’ve had the honor of presenting a monthly drum circle for them ever since. Sync’s Four Core Components of Spiritual Principles, Health & Wellness, Service Work and Social Connectedness have been the focus of my drum circles.

After meeting Laura and Per, and the other volunteers at Sync, and becoming a part of the amazing Sync community, I knew that I wanted to do whatever I could to contribute to their success and growth.

I joined the communications committee. I now work with a group of talented individuals who are passionate about delivering the message of Sync Recovery: To end the stigma of addiction and demonstrate that long-term sobriety is not only possible, it is powerful and full of joy!