Organizers of the Hope Over Heroin event coming July 8 and 9 to the Miami County Fairgrounds have a list of needs to complete first including making sure residents across the county are aware of the project, and its offerings.
The activities Friday evening the 8th and Saturday the 9th are free and designed to provide resources to the addicted and their families as well as offer education to the community, said Aaron Simmons, a Troy firefighter and pastor of the Upper Room Worship Center in Tipp City.
The event is family friendly, he said.
In addition to getting the word out, additional volunteers are welcome – individuals, churches or those with other resources – along with donations of money.
Organizers also are seeking pictures of those lost to heroin/opiate addiction for a walking memorial wall planned for the event. Photos should be sent to: http://www.hopeoverheroin.com/memorial-form.html
The Hope Over Heroin organization was started by three pastors in summer 2014 following 14 deaths from heroin overdoses in Hamilton County, Ohio.
The Miami County Hope Over Heroin event is part of collaboration between the faith- based community, service providers, the Miami County Heroin Coalition and others.
“This event is for everybody. We are hoping everybody comes. It is totally free,” Simmons said. “We want to be a part of the communities. We want the community to be part of waging war against this, seeing this effort be successful and seeing addicts set free.”
Activities begin Friday, July 8, with a main open-air event featuring live music and speakers including previous heroin addicts sharing their stories. Saturday, July 9, gates open at noon. A free meal of hot dogs, chips, etcetera, will be offered throughout the day. Afternoon activities will include a motorcycle group performance and live entertainment.
At 5 p.m., a prayer march/memorial parade will be held to raise awareness and honor those who have passed away and those who have been affected by addiction, including families. The memorial wall will be part of that activity.
The main event Saturday will be at 7 p.m. with bands and speakers.
Simmons said representatives of many agencies and churches are involved in planning and will be on hand for the event. Among them are those in mental health, behavioral health and addiction services such as the Tri-County Board. Forty to 50 churches also are involved in a variety of ways.
“We hope this will streamline processes. We are trying to take away every excuse for someone who is hurting or addicted to get help,” Simmons said.
People from all walks of life have stepped forward to help after seeing and hearing about the increase in heroin overdoses and deaths the past couple of years, he said.
The Miami County Heroin Coalition earlier in June outlined its efforts in the months since its formation in January.
At a press conference, Steve Justice, a local lawyer, said around 50 people each month are overdosing in the county.
“We are taking a stand, doing something about this,” Simmons said. “We rallied the churches and said, ‘This is affecting multitudes of people, families, people who need help.’ Compassion compels you to do something.”
Another Hope Over Heroin event is scheduled the following weekend in Dayton.
Those with questions about the event can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit hopeoverheroin.com and select the Troy/Miami County event.
