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Junken Monkeys: Embodying recovery by giving back to the community

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

After seven months in recovery, Bianca Walters is committed to giving back to the community, sharing her experience, strength and hope as inspiration for others.

On Saturday, Walters, 34, took the lead in a women’s clothing giveaway sponsored by Junken Monkeys Hauling Company, providing support to others in the same way she was once supported.

Women lined up early for a chance to pick out jeans, shoes, dresses and more. Walters walked them through the process, helping them find the right sizes and even adding a suggestion or two about what would look good.

“She is running this event,” Junken Monkeys owner Brian Kerrigan said. “She went from homeless, in a tent, to running an event. This is a milestone for this young lady.”

Junken Monkeys Hauling Company held a women's clothing giveaway on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The company consistently hosts such events to support the community. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)Junken Monkeys Hauling Company held a women’s clothing giveaway on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The company consistently hosts such events to support the community. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO) Brian Kerrigan of Junken Monkeys Hauling Company greets those attending a clothing giveaway sponsored by the business on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)Brian Kerrigan of Junken Monkeys Hauling Company greets those attending a clothing giveaway sponsored by the business on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO) William Pilkonis stops to take a photo of Leo Zombec and Chase Zombec at a clothing giveaway sponsored by Junken Monkeys Hauling. The children enjoyed the opportunity to get their faces painted at the event on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)William Pilkonis stops to take a photo of Leo Zombec and Chase Zombec at a clothing giveaway sponsored by Junken Monkeys Hauling. The children enjoyed the opportunity to get their faces painted at the event on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)

From a tent by the river to success

“I started working for Junken Monkeys back in January,” Walters said. “I’ve went from living in a tent to having a safe place to live, sober, seeing my kids.”

The job, she said, does much more than provide income.

“Everyone is there for each other,” she said. “It’s like a little family.”

Kerrigan remembers the day in January when Walters made her way to a warming shelter sponsored by the business.

Kerrigan put Walters up in a hotel for several days before helping her get into the Catherine McAuley Center.

“They found her a place and she graduated from that,” he said. “Now she’s seeing her children.”

“I can’t say enough about Catherine McAuley,” he added.

As an employee, Walters goes above and beyond.

“Honestly, she outworks most of the men,” Kerrigan said.

Carrying the message, practicing program principles

To Kerrigan, himself in recovery for 27 years, helping others is not an option, but a sacred duty based on the last three steps of the AA program, which conclude with, “having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

The lion’s share of Kerrigan’s employees are in recovery and he provides them not only with an income, but also assistance with budgeting and building credit.

Once recovering employees have money in the bank and a decent credit scores, the door is open for them to get a car and eventually, a mortgage.

Should his employees want to attend an AA meeting midday, Kerrigan considers it part of their workday and they get paid to go.

“Three of them are in a truck and they want to go to the nooner?” he said, “I say go ahead, I’ll pay for it while you’re there. It’s a good way to spend their lunch time.”

Kerrigan acknowledges not all paths to recovery are without challenges, even relapse.

“If I feel I have to drug test somebody,” he said. “I do it.”

Sweet Cheeks

Megan Fenwick, owner of Sweet Cheeks, offered free face painting to the children of families attending the event.

Children were excited to take a seat and see everything from butterflies to unicorns to Superman unfold on their cheeks as they peeked into a mirror.

Megan’s daughter Molly Fenwick was also on hand greeting children dressed as Elsa from the movie “Frozen,” to the delight of many youngsters who stopped for selfie with the iconic character.