Overdose awareness unites community

Stories of loss and recovery will be shared in Riverside Park next weekend. The fourth annual Unified Together in Christ Overdose Awareness event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 3-8 p.m. at the Riverside Park band shell. In case of rain, the event will move to an enclosed shelter. The event, organized by Lisa Marine, began in honor of Marine's daughter, Trish, who passed away from an overdose in 2018. She said she also has other family members who have died by overdose, and it has become her life's mission to help others and raise awareness. "For myself, for my therapy, my mission is to help mothers; I go to the jail and minister to the people in the jail. I go to City Mission, do haircuts for them," she said. "So I try to pay it forward. And that's what helps me." One of the event's biggest projects is setting up the pictures of those who have died by overdose for viewing by attendees. Marine said there are about 200 pictures now, and she's always looking for more. "This year, we're going to do yard signs with the pictures of the lost," she said. "I have pictures from Ohio, from all over." The event will include testimonies from James Hodges, Bradley Hughes, Bobby Bendito, Corey Long and Marine herself. Other attendees of the event are encouraged to share their testimonies as well. Several pastors and a Christian counselor will be present to help those struggling or grieving. Praise and worship will be led by New Life, The Remnant and Bobby Bendito. Water baptisms also will be performed. Free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and water will be provided from 3-4:30 p.m. Free face painting and haircuts will be provided to children under 12. Volunteers are needed for the event. Contact Lisa Marine at unifiedlisa214@gmail.com to get involved or donate. Pictures of those lost to overdose can be sent to Marine's email address or brought to the event.