Picking Up the Pieces

Picking Up the Pieces Work towards ending substance use disorder by bringing awareness to the community through education, advocacy & fundraising.
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We will also reach out to families that have lost loved ones to this horrible disease.

Tomorrow is December 1st and as we embark on a new week, let's ignite the spirit of the holiday season by remembering th...
12/01/2025

Tomorrow is December 1st and as we embark on a new week, let's ignite the spirit of the holiday season by remembering those who are less fortunate than we are. Everyone's journey is unique, with its own share of triumphs and tribulations. I'd like to inspire my friends, family, and followers to perform one act of kindness daily until December 25th. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, just a small act that can bring a smile to someone's face. Imagine the profound impact we can create together - a ripple effect of kindness that not only transforms the lives of others but also opens our eyes to the beauty that surrounds us. Sometimes we get caught up in our own struggles and forget to acknowledge the good that's present in our lives. As someone who runs a nonprofit, I've witnessed firsthand the heartbreak that many people face, and I believe it's time for us to come together and make a difference. Who's with me?

To those of us that have lost a loved one, I send hugs and love……say their name everyday and keep their memories alive.
11/27/2025

To those of us that have lost a loved one, I send hugs and love……say their name everyday and keep their memories alive.

Let's unite as a community to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Please support Oxford House and Picking U...
11/26/2025

Let's unite as a community to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Please support Oxford House and Picking Up The Pieces by donating blankets and coats to help keep people warm this winter. You can drop off your donations at the Lost And Found club at 616 S. Pine Ave. or arrange for pickup by calling 352–816–3793. Together, we can create a ripple of kindness and support. Thank you❀️

This is absolutely  disgusting. Teacher of the year? Uh…..no.
11/25/2025

This is absolutely disgusting. Teacher of the year? Uh…..no.

11/23/2025
11/21/2025

πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ πŸ’œπŸ’œNew Billboards are comingπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ

I am overjoyed to be back from my Conference in Detroit - it was truly uplifting. Our 6th Annual Holiday Children's Party is happening on Sunday, December 14th at the Belleview DAV. Registration is online, please don't miss this incredible opportunity to spread love and kindness. We are still accepting donations of cash and toys. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please contact me. πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ

Last but not least, I have partnered with a close friend of mine and we are taking donations of $35 per loved one's photo. We will be announcing the date that it will go up. We will have 2 locations for 2 billboards (to be on both, it will cost $70. I am meeting with a representative tomorrow and will have more info and a deadline. We are looking to have both go up in January. We have been planning for a while. If you paid for the previous billboard that did not go up and you told me to keep the money, I am using that towards the billboard (send me your name and how you sent it so I can verify it). Let's come together to honor our loved ones. I envision a standstill billboard this time, where people can take a moment to reflect on their loved ones. Please feel free to call me with any questions at (352) 816-3793. ***EVERYONE IS WELCOME AS WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE*** It's about supporting one another and loving one another. Blessings to all of our Angels, Ian's Mom

I agree with the Mayor. I work in this field of substance use. I see the dangers every single day. This is the reason wh...
11/20/2025

I agree with the Mayor. I work in this field of substance use. I see the dangers every single day. This is the reason why I agree with Mayor Marciano…….

***Kids 15 yrs+ are experimenting with this……Stop it now before you have to bury them.

Natural" kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is associated with a range of health dangers, from mild side effects to severe conditions including liver toxicity, seizures, addiction, and, in rare cases, death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers not to use kratom products because they are unregulated, their potency is unpredictable, and they may contain harmful contaminants.
Common side effects:
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Dry mouth
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Increased urination
Itching and sweating
Dizziness and drowsiness
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
SERIOUS HEALTH DANGERS:

More severe, though less common, health problems have been reported, particularly with high doses, long-term use, or when combined with other substances:
Addiction and Dependence: Regular use can lead to physical dependence and substance use disorder, with withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opioids (e.g., agitation, irritability, muscle aches, insomnia).
Organ Damage: Cases of liver damage, kidney injury, and lung injury have been reported. Symptoms of liver injury may include fatigue, nausea, dark urine, and jaundice.
Neurological and Psychiatric Effects: These can include confusion, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, delusions, depression, and psychosis.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Issues: High blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and slowed breathing (respiratory depression) can occur, with respiratory depression being a potential cause of death in overdose cases.
Overdose and Death: While rare from kratom alone, deaths have been linked to kratom products, and nearly all cases involved the use of other drugs or contaminants, which can amplify adverse effects.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Use during pregnancy can lead to withdrawal symptoms in newborns, requiring medical treatment.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano asked city staff to look into ongoing legislation to remove kratom out of stores across the state, saying it is a potential gateway "drug" that leads children into "more serious" alternatives.

See ya later….Good luck.
11/20/2025

See ya later….Good luck.

Facts
11/20/2025

Facts

11/02/2025

Hats off to Charlie Horse and bike night for a truly unforgettable evening! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, brought toys for the children, and donated to the raffle. Special recognition to Cindy for her selfless dedication in making this event a success.

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Ocala, FL
34470

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Picking Up the Pieces...​

Picking Up the Pieces...

M​y daughter and I created a page named Picking Up the Pieces in the hopes that it will give those who have been affected by the opioid epidemic a place to unite. I lost my son, Ian, on April 20, 2018 to a deadly combination of Fentanl, Carfentanyl, and Methamphetamine. My son was never a m**h user and we were led to believe that he overdosed on he**in.

​We were wrong, once we received the toxicology report we found that cause was not the case at all. The loss of our son was devastating and we knew that som**hing had to be done. His death is now being treated as a homicide and currently under investigation.

​As time went on, I started to join groups to help deal with grief. I chose to utilize by pain for the good of others. I became involved within the community volunteering at different events associated with recovery. Lucky for me, I had experience. My daughter just celebrated 4-years of sobriety this past September. She's seen the worst, and she's seen the very best. To watch her grow into the person she is today is absolutely amazing.