Picking up the Pieces will host its fourth annual International Overdose Awareness & Prevention Day event on Aug. 30.
According to a news release from the group, the event will be at 11 a.m. at Compassion United Methodist Church, 1712 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala. Officials said the day is aimed at “honoring lives lost to the addiction epidemic, supporting families, and raising awareness for prevention and recovery.”
Part of the event is a memorial motorcycle ride led by The Punishers LEMC Fort King Chapter. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at 12496 SE U.S. 301 in Belleview, with the ride ending at the church.
“This day is about remembrance, community and action. We ride, we gather, and we stand together to honor those we’ve lost and to help prevent future tragedies,” Michelle Pepin, founder of Picking up the Pieces, is quoted as saying in the document.
Lisa Bolton of The Dandelion Project said its “H.O.P.E. Lives On” banners will be shown on Aug. 30. Bolton said: “The banners honor individuals lost to addiction while celebrating those in recovery, spreading awareness, and offering hope to the community.”
At the conclusion of the Aug. 30 program, Bolton said, the banners will be taken to New Jersey, where a group called Leona’s Legacy of Love is planning to put up an overdose awareness billboard in that state.
For more information, contact michellepepin@pickingupthepieces.us or lisa@dandelionproject.net.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Overdose Awareness & Prevention Day event slated for Aug. 30 in Ocala
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
