On March 6th, families and loved ones across the United States came together for Black Balloon Day, an annual nation-wide event dedicated to honor those who lost their lives to substance overdoses. The event is intended not only to honor lives lost, but to raise awareness of the stark realities of substance misuse all over the world.
Sponsored by the Center for Youth and Community Development (CFYCD), members and supporters of the Adams County Coalition for Overdose Awareness and Recovery (COAR) gathered at Lincoln Square, offering virtual black balloons for community members to print the names of loved ones, sharing a memory, or leaving a message of hope for those in recovery. In doing so, organizers hope to put actual “human names and faces behind the often impersonal statistics surrounding overdose deaths.”
Organizers and various community supporters gathered in the freezing cold, handing out valuable information on community resources, as well as free Naloxone, an FDA-approved medication to quickly reverse opioid overdoses, and a brief training on how to use it. Unfortunately, the event was cut short due to unusually strong winds, but did not dampen the enthusiasm among the attendees.
Pictured above are organizers and supporters, from left to right:
Sarah Lehman, Prevention Program Specialist at York/Adams Drug & Alcohol Commission (YADAC); Chad-Alan Carr, Borough Council Member and Candidate for Gettysburg Mayor; Constable Josh Fitting (current candidate for Adams County Sheriff); Andrea Dolges, CFYCD Executive Director; Paul Kellett CFYCD Community Member; Matthew McGirr, Innovo Detox Community Liaison; Lisa Lindsey, Data and Prevention Specialist; Meghan Riordan, CFYCDCommunications Director & Fiscal Support. Other organizers and supporters not pictured here included Matt Sheads, CFYCD Board Member and Lyric Gallagher, Director of Youth Coalition and COAR Coordinator.
“As with many things from the opioid epidemic, Black Balloon Day began with a family’s loss,” the organization Overdose Lifeline explains. “Diane and Lauren Hurley began Black Balloon Day in remembrance of Greg Tremblay. Tremblay, a father of four, is the son-in-law of Diane and brother-in-law of Lauren and died of an overdose when he was 38 years old on March 6, 2015.”
What started as a local remembrance in Massachusetts in 2016, has since grown into a national and international movement, shining a light on the opioid crisis and commemorating those who have passed – individuals who were parents, spouses, children, and friends, deeply loved and missed.
For more information about COAR or to anonymously obtain free naloxone, contact Lyric Gallagher at www.overdosefreeadams.org, or stop by the Center for Youth and Community Development offices at 233 W High Street, Gettysburg. You may also call the anonymous phone line 717-752-2695 to obtain Naloxone. No information will be collected from the person contacting the number for Naloxone and/or training.
Free Narcan and Narcan Administration Training is also available from the YADAC department
for first responders, schools, organizations, and businesses in York and Adams County.
Contact them at yadac-narcan@yorkcountypa.gov.
Donate Gardner is a freelance writer and journalist who came to Gettysburg from Montgomery County, Maryland. A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate recently retired and is eager to support her new community in a variety of ways. She currently serves as the news communicator for the Adams County migrant outreach program, Pasa La Voz and supports various pro bono legal services to migrants in the area.
An immigrant born, raised, and educated in Western Europe, Donate uses her multi-lingual background to maintain connection to other cultures, both as a writer, historical researcher and advocate.
Donate is also an active musician, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter, enjoying the rich music and arts community in Gettysburg, and supporting traveling musicians coming through the area. Donate can be reached at: dvbgardner@gmail.com.