In 1966, in order to better serve the needs of the many suffering alcoholics who were reaching out for the help of Alcoholics Anonymous in Suffolk County, six groups in the Riverhead area undertook to start a telephone hot-line. This hot-line made it possible for people seeking help locally to find that help locally, instead of having to call New York Intergroup and wait days for information that was often incorrect, or which directed them to distant areas. Suffolk Intergroup grew from that original hot-line, achieving full intergroup status in 1973; however, maintaining the hot-line has always remained one of SIA's primary functions.
For thirty-eight years, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, an AA volunteer has waited by a phone to extend the hand of AA to the still sick and suffering. This is a record of dedication to the helping of our fellow alcoholics of which anyone might be proud.
And it may soon come to an end.
The Answering Service Committee is finding fewer and fewer volunteers to take shifts on the phones. Whole groups have turned us down, saying no one was interested. Many old-timers have told us, "Look for the newer people. I've done my share." Many newcomers seem to lack a conneection to the hot-line and apparently have not had the
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SUFFOLK INTERGROUP ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
113-8 Bay Avenue Patchogue, NY 11772
(631) 654-1150 FAX (631) 654-1110
Mail: P.O. Box 659 Patchogue, NY 11772 email: WWW.SUFFOLKNY-AA.ORG
OCTOBER 2004 VOLUME 31; ISSUE 6
The Responsibility Declaration:
I am responsible...
When anyone, anywhere,
reaches out for help, I want
the hand of A.A. always to be there
And for that: I am responsible.
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