In 1985, the Riverside AA Group was formed at the Glen Willis House. After a year the group had dwindled to a very small number, and was forced to move. This small group, now calling themselves the CHIPS Group, moved three more times before settling at 111 Bridge Street. Facing the daunting task of renovating a building that was in terrible disrepair, and with few resources, they faced the challenge. Since AA cannot own property, a few of the members formed the Bridge Street Token Club to buy the building. With the help of the jail AA group, the dedication of a few members, and many miracles from God, the first floor was completed, and the first AA meeting was held here in 1990. This candle
represents
the Great Light of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Ross, Kizzie and Wood, the only remaining members of the original group,
represent
that small group who passed the light of AA on to us.
As they passed on the light of AA, the group began to grow.
Based on the Traditions of AA, and strong sponsorship,
each of you, in turn, passed on the message of AA.
Its light grew stronger and became a beacon for alcoholics reaching out for help.
Now there is a strong, bright light of hope here at 111 Bridge Street.
The Gift of Alcoholics Anonymous God, in his wisdom, selected this group of men and women to be the purveyors of his goodness. He went not unto the proud, the mighty, the famous, or the brilliant; he went to the humble, the sick, the unfortunate. He went straight to the drunkard, that so-called weakling in this world. Well might he have said to us: "Unto your weak and feeble hands I have entrusted a power beyond estimate. To you has been given that which has been denied the most learned of your fellows. Not to scientists or statesmen, not to wives or mothers, not even to my priests or ministers have I given this gift of healing other alcoholics which I entrust to you." "It must be used unselfishly for it carries with it grave responsibility; sometimes the difference between life and death. No day can be too long; no demands upon your time can be too urgent; no case be too pitiful; no task too hard; no effort too great; It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, and no denomination. Personal criticism you must expect; lack of appreciation will be common; ridicule will be your lot; your motives will he misjudged. You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend the rungs toward spiritual perfection. And, remember, in the exercise of this power I shall not expect of you beyond your capabilities." "You are not selected because of exceptional talents. Be careful, always, if success attends your efforts, not to ascribe to personal superiority that to which you lay claim only by virtue of MY gift. If I had wanted learned men to accomplish this mission, the power would have been entrusted to the physician and the scientists. If I had wanted eloquent men; there would have been many anxious for the assignment, for talk is the easiest used of all talents with which I have endowed mankind. If I had wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with better qualified men than you, who would be available." "You were selected because you have been the outcasts of the world, and your long experience as drunkards has made or should make you humbly alert to the cries of distress that come from the lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere." "Keep ever in mind the admission you made on the day of your profession in A A - that your are powerless, and that it was only with your willingness to turn your life and will unto My keeping that relief came to you."
The Bridge Street Token Club has made the last payment of the mortgage, and now owns this building. Now it will always be available for the suffering alcoholic. Joe C. — as President of the Bridge Street Token Club, will present the Paid Off Mortgage Note: Joe: “Kizzie, Ross, Wood… The only remaining members of the original group, will commit the note to ashes!”
I am responsible.
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,
I want the hand of AA always to be there, and for that,
I am responsible.
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