Dickie Noles to speak at Tree of Hope event

Written by Staff Reports Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:40 pm

WILDWOOD – Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Dickie Noles, a member of the 1980 World Series Championship Team, will be the guest speaker at Cape Assist’s annual Tree of Hope celebration on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at Cape Assist’s Wildwood office, 3819 New Jersey Ave.

He will speak on his personal fight with addiction, and on prevention and treatment and also will share stories of his time with the Phillies.

Noles, a passionate advocate for addiction treatment, battled his own alcohol addiction in the 1980s. Today, Noles is an employee assistance professional with the Phillies. He works with major and minor league players on life skills and other issues.

The Tree of Hope began in 2001 “as a reminder of the hope of recovery,” according to Cape Assist executive director Lynne Krukosky.

“People are encouraged to put a star or an angel on the tree in memory of or in honor of a family member or friend who is struggling with an addiction or in recovery’” she said. “The ornaments on the Tree of Hope serve as symbols of hope and shining remembrances. The money donated for each ornament benefits the treatment scholarship fund.”

The reasons people place ornaments on the tree are now as varied as the ornaments.

“They are now not only given in honor of people who work in the field, or in the hope that someone will get in to or have the courage to stay in recovery, but also some folks now put a dedication on the tree just to pray for someone who is ill or in memory of a loved one,” she said.

The ornaments, which can be initialed, personalized or placed anonymously, hang on the tree at Cape Assist throughout the holiday season. In January those who purchased ornaments can pick them up or donate them back to Cape Assist.

Cape Assist exists to help keep our communities healthy, safe and drug free, according to group organizers. Also known as the Cape May County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Cape Assist seeks to educate all segments of our population, especially our children and young people, on the dangers of tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse.

This year’s annual tree dedication ceremony is sponsored by Mitch Nichols Excavation & Demolition and Rio Auto Body. The public is invited to attend the event; however, space is limited. To dedicate an ornament, contact Janet at 522-5960 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .