On Wednesday, August 30, Spectrum Health is hosting a free family event from 4 to 7 pm at Veterans Memorial Park, 1250 Union Road, West Seneca (behind the Town Hall). The event will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day and lives lost due to overdose.
Those who attend are encouraged to bring photographs of loved ones affected by this ongoing tragedy. Their photos will be included in a custom-made “We Remember Them” banner that will be on display at the Town of West Seneca Community Center Atrium during September.
Local well-respected acoustic singers and songwriters Grace Stumberg and Tina Marie Williams will open the event at 4 pm, followed by world renowned blues singer Patti Parks (Patti Parks Band) at 5:30 pm. Parks is the founder of Nursin’ Blues music therapy program, which helps high risk youth cope with their emotions as they recover from drug addiction. Parks’ son lost his life to an overdose in 2019. Dancers from the METTS Dance Studio will also contribute to the celebration of remembrance.
Family activities include Explore and More’s “Imagination Playground,” YMCA’s “Y on the Fly,” Highmark’s Healthy Cruiser, and face painting by METTS Dance Studio dancers. Onsite resources will be provided by Erie County’s Department of Health Opiate Task Force, Spectrum Health’s Buffalo H.O.P.E. team, Endeavor Health, Save the Michaels of the World, Horizon Health Services, and Narcotics Anonymous. Event sponsors include Five Star Bank and WGRZ. Additionally, on Tuesday, August 29, representatives from Spectrum Health’s Medication Assisted Treatment program will be in Larkin Square at the season’s final Food Truck Tuesday to distribute Narcan kits and provide information and training. Learn more at www.shswny.org.
