In response to the letter headlined "Needs to be more to do here in Yuma," I totally agree. I have lived here for 4 years. I am an alcoholic  with 28 years of recovery. I know what it's like to have no alternatives. There are many people in the community who do not want to drink or do drugs but cannot find anything positive to do even as a group.
 
As one alternative I am doing something on my own to help. It's called CASPER (Clean And Sober People Enjoying Recovery). You do not have to be in recovery to appreciate living clean and sober. I have organized an event held on the last Saturday of every month and located at Britains Banquets and Special Events (formally Britains Chuckwagon Steakhouse), 4331 W. Riverside Drive.
  
Our first event on Sept. 27 was a huge success. It was a birthday party for people celebrating one year or more being clean and sober. It included a potluck dinner and then a terrific dance from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. for $5.
 
Our events are for those 17 years old and older and they are open to the public. It is not just for people in recovery. The only requirement is you are clean and sober! Our next event is Oct. 25. Dressing in your Halloween costume is optional. If you do, you will be judged by the audience vote for a prize.
  
I have obtained nonprofit tax-exempt status to be able to seek community business support and to request grant funding. This may not seem like much now, but it's my vision someday, through the support and interest of the community, to have a center offering a clean and sober environment to those in the community looking for the alternative. Bring your favorite dish to our next event and share your ideas with us or volunteer to help.


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ROBERT ROBINSON
Yuma