Keynote speaker Debby Atzinger addresses a riveted crowd at the second annual “A Sweeter Life” pie social fundraiser Tuesday, Nov. 1. The proceeds benefit the operations of Rose Garden Recovery Community, from which Atzinger graduated in June 2021 after surviving a suicide attempt five minutes from the Syracuse ministry. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Debby Atzinger’s life-saving journey began with dreams of Indiana cornfields, an attempted suicide by vehicular collision and the love of Jesus manifested through His faithful servant Becky Rassi, executive director of Rose Garden Recovery Community in Syracuse.

Atzinger presented her riveting chronicle to nearly 100 rapt attendees at the Rose Garden’s second annual “A Sweeter Life” pie social fundraiser Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Wawasee Community Bible Church in Milford.

“I grew up in a violent home,” said Atzinger, 55. “My brother introduced me to drugs at age 6, and I lived my entire life in survival mode.”

She was married twice, for 16 years and 17 years respectively, to men who were drug abusers; her second husband was also a drug dealer.

She became addicted to methamphetamine, left her second husband several times but kept going back “even after he threw me off a cliff.”

Atzinger acknowledged the ripple effects of her drug use. “My children learned their coping skills from me.”

Her life spiraled downward until she hit bottom. “My family cut me off. My children stopped talking to me. All of a sudden I hit a brick wall with nowhere else to run.”

Then the dreams started. “I started having dreams of cornfields and Indiana, so I packed up and headed from Kentucky to Indiana.”

She had a list of treatment homes and called every one.

“No one would talk to me until I got to Rose Garden at the bottom of the list. I talked to a resident, April, who incidentally graduated the day I started at Rose Garden.”

Five minutes from Rose Garden’s Recovery Home, suicidal thoughts overwhelmed Atzinger, and she steered her truck toward a semi on a county road.

Seeing another car approaching, she swerved, hit the car and careened off the road headlong into a tree.

“I hated myself. I was a ball of hate and hurt,” she said, but her life was soon to profoundly change.

“Becky (Rassi) picked me up from the hospital,” said Atzinger, a hint of awe slipping into her voice, “and she looked at me like she really loved me.”

Rassi took Atzinger to the Recovery Home and admitted her to the program. She completed the nine-month program and graduated in June 2021.

“The Rose Garden saves lives,” Atzinger said. “They saved my life. You will find Jesus at the Rose Home. I am tickled to death that I am alive and I love God. I love my children and grandchildren.”

As a fitting epilogue, Atzinger recounted experiencing an overwhelming burst of joy during one of her walks on the Rose Garden’s wooded grounds.

She called her son and exclaimed, “Joy mimics meth!”

“No,” replied her son, realigning her perspective, “meth mimics joy.”

Other speakers contributed to the evening’s program. Resident Jessie recited a heartfelt poem she had written, “The Promised Land,” to start the presentations.

Rassi explained the ministry of Rose Garden Recovery Community, and a short video featured residents and graduates with beaming before-and-after, night-and-day testimonies.

Residency is open to all, but the atmosphere is decidedly Christian. “No one has to be a Christian to come to the Rose Garden, but once they are there they have to understand we are going to talk about Jesus,” said Rassi.

Volunteer Kathy Brown said she started her involvement with Rose Garden by mowing the lawn, then started driving residents to appointments.

Sherry Meyer, left, announces her pledge to make a significant monetary donation to Rose Garden Recovery Community in honor of her mother, who passed away in January. She also committed to become a volunteer for the ministry. Rose Garden Executive Director Becky Rassi is shown on the right.

Sherry Meyer was moved to announce a substantial donation dedicated to her mother, who passed away in January. “I’m making this donation in her memory. At the end of the day my mom loved Jesus, and I will be a future volunteer.”

Thus far, the fundraiser has garnered more than $20,000 in donations and pledges … and counting.

One of the evening’s components, “Grab a Slice of the Pie,” whereby individuals and businesses may earmark donations or volunteer hours for specific projects, will continue through Friday, Nov. 18, at rosegardenrecovery.com.

Rassi was gratified at the response to the event. “We had a lot of positive feedback about our speakers, the venue, and the pie. Our guests were able to hear about the work the Rose Garden is doing from the perspective of a resident, a volunteer, a board member and staff.

“Addiction is scary,” she said, “so working with addicts can seem intimidating. We were able to illustrate that encouraging and supporting our women is not difficult. Rose Garden residents are simply our neighbors, our community members and our friends.

“They tend to seek good and reciprocate kindness. Healing is beautiful to behold. The testimonies helped others to overcome the negative stigma and inspired them to volunteer or support us financially.”

Rassi expressed special thanks for the event’s host, Wawasee Community Bible Church, and sponsors, Wawasee Kiwanis, Syracuse Family Practice, Diamond Specialties, RKE Enterprises, Sylvia Benjamin State Farm with WFRN, Phend & Brown, Resolute Logistics, Mega Logistics, North Webster Church of God, Wawasee Community Bible Church, Calvary Baptist Church of Oswego, JTD Enterprises and Warstler Woodworks.

Addressing Rose Garden’s wider impact, Rassi said, “Helping one woman overcome her addiction creates a huge ripple effect in our community.

“Children witness the change in their mother and the power of making healthy choices. Their family bonds and sense of security and connection are powerfully impacted and improved.

“Other family members and coworkers are inspired and encouraged through the changed life of each resident. Hope is contagious.

“Each victory helps light the path for others still struggling with addiction and in various stages of recovery. We are excited to be a part of each journey and hope others get to join us.”

For more information, call (574) 457-4408, email [email protected], visit rosegardenrecovery.com or mail P.O. Box 571, Syracuse, IN 46567.