Candlelight vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day 08/31/25 (audio)

FM #1502 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1502 in the series. 

This session shares the first part of the International Overdose Awareness Day candle light vigil held by the SAFE Coalition on Sunday, August 31, 2025. The vigil was held on the Franklin Town Common. This first part was conducted from the stage at the gazebo. The second part, recorded by Franklin TV, was held right near the flags planted on the Common.  

 

Speakers

• Jennifer Knight-Levine,  CEO | Co-Founder

• Jim Derick, Director of Family Recovery | Co-Founder

• Rev Doreen Oughton, Franklin Federated Church

• Anthony, member of SAFE Coalition with his recovery story

The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1502-ioad-safe-coalition-vigil-08-31-25/

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For more about the SAFE Coalition, visit their web page -> 

https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

International Overdose Awareness Day -> https://www.overdoseday.com/ 

Photo album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/eUJRuDrhDoZfSMp18 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share, and show you what, and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Candlelight vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day 08/31/25 (audio)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, August 31, 2025 ??

Sunday, August 31

11am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1pm Sunday Fundays (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

5pm International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) (Franklin Town Common)

7pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Reminder: SAFE Coalition vigil 5 PM on Town Common - International Overdose Awareness Day

Last year, 1,763 people died from overdose in Massachusetts.

Join us for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

Community Vigils

flags to honor those who passed during 2024

SAFE Coalition will host community vigils from 5 to 6 PM at two locations:

• Franklin Town Common (200 Main St.)
• Wrentham Town Common (1 Franklin St.)

We encourage attendees to bring photos of loved ones to place on a special memorial display table at the vigils.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/08/2025-international-overdose-awareness.html

Reminder: Community Vigils for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) - August 31, 2025

WHAT: Public vigils 

DATE: Sunday, August 31

TIME: 5:00–6:00 PM

LOCATIONS: 

• Franklin Town Common

• Wrentham Town Common

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) will be marked this year in Franklin and Wrentham with community vigils from 5–6 PM on August 31 at Franklin Town Common and Wrentham Town Common. Additionally, SAFE Coalition will work with community members to plant memorial flag displays in Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Medway. This annual event is intended to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of those left behind. 

The vigils are hosted by SAFE Coalition, a local nonprofit committed to inclusive and judgement-free support for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and family support. 

Reminder: Community Vigils for International
Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) - August 31, 2025

“Each year, we have the privilege to come together as a community and remember those we’ve lost to the disease of addiction,” said Jen Levine, CEO and co-founder of SAFE. “It’s important to place the flags and hold these vigils because they create a space to meet, talk, and be with others who have felt similar losses.”

Massachusetts experienced 1,763 fatal overdoses in the last year, and more than 80,391 people died from overdose nationwide (Massachusetts Department of Health). Each loss sends ripples of grief through families, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

This year, thousands of communities worldwide will participate in IOAD, a time to honor those who have died or suffered due to overdose. Established in 2001, IOAD seeks to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, remember those who died of overdose, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. 

The theme of IOAD 2025 is “One Big Family, Driven by Hope.” It reflects the idea that while overdose fractures families and communities, it also reveals how deeply connected everyone is and the power of showing up for one another. Participate in the global day of acknowledgment using the hashtags #OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope #IOAD2025 #EndOverdose

With support groups, educational courses, events, training, support services and more, SAFE provides a whole-person, whole-family, whole-community approach to addiction, prevention, and recovery. 

SAFE is seeking volunteers to help plant and remove memorial flags for IOAD. Visit https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ioad to sign up and learn more.

SAFE Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day with Community Vigils - Aug 31, 2025

WHAT: Public vigils 

DATE: Sunday, August 31

TIME: 5:00–6:00 PM

LOCATIONS: 

• Franklin Town Common

• Wrentham Town Common

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) will be marked this year in Franklin and Wrentham with community vigils from 5–6 PM on August 31 at Franklin Town Common and Wrentham Town Common. Additionally, SAFE Coalition will work with community members to plant memorial flag displays in Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, and Medway. This annual event is intended to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of those left behind. 

The vigils are hosted by SAFE Coalition, a local nonprofit committed to inclusive and judgement-free support for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and family support. 

SAFE Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day

“Each year, we have the privilege to come together as a community and remember those we’ve lost to the disease of addiction,” said Jen Levine, CEO and co-founder of SAFE. “It’s important to place the flags and hold these vigils because they create a space to meet, talk, and be with others who have felt similar losses.”

Massachusetts experienced 1,763 fatal overdoses in the last year, and more than 80,391 people died from overdose nationwide (Massachusetts Department of Health). Each loss sends ripples of grief through families, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

This year, thousands of communities worldwide will participate in IOAD, a time to honor those who have died or suffered due to overdose. Established in 2001, IOAD seeks to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, remember those who died of overdose, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. 

Community Vigils - Aug 31, 2025

The theme of IOAD 2025 is “One Big Family, Driven by Hope.” It reflects the idea that while overdose fractures families and communities, it also reveals how deeply connected everyone is and the power of showing up for one another. Participate in the global day of acknowledgment using the hashtags #OneBigFamily #DrivenByHope #IOAD2025 #EndOverdose

With support groups, educational courses, events, training, support services and more, SAFE provides a whole-person, whole-family, whole-community approach to addiction, prevention, and recovery. 

SAFE is seeking volunteers to help plant and remove memorial flags for IOAD. Visit https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ioad to sign up and learn more.

2025 International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

Last year, 1,763 people died from overdose in Massachusetts.

Join us for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

Community Vigils

SAFE will host community vigils from 5 to 6 PM at two locations:

• Franklin Town Common (200 Main St.)
• Wrentham Town Common (1 Franklin St.)

We encourage attendees to bring photos of loved ones to place on a special memorial display table at the vigils.

Volunteers needed to help with International
Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

Memorial Flag Displays

In addition to the vigils, SAFE will collaborate with community members to place memorial flags across the county:

• ​Franklin Town Common
• Wrentham Town Common
• Norfolk Town Hill lawn
• Medway Town Hall lawn

Those interested in helping can sign up using the form below.

Together we can reduce substance use disorder stigma, increase understanding and awareness, remember those who died of overdose, and prevent drug-related harm.

https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ioad

Volunteers needed to help with International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

Volunteers needed!!

Volunteers needed to help with International
Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2025

As part of International Overdose Awareness Day, SAFE will work with community members to plant memorial flag displays  in Franklin, Medway, Norfolk, and Wrentham, where each flag represents one of the 1,763 lives lost in Massachusetts to overdose last year. 

We will be placing flags in each town from 9–11 AM on Friday, Aug. 29, and removing flags from 9–11 AM Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

Learn more and sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/safeoad

Send questions to info@safecoalitionma.org

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AppLkAL36/

4th Annual vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day held on Town Common (audio)

FM #1267 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1267 in the series. 

This session shares the 4th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day vigil held on the Franklin Town Common on Saturday, August 31, 2024. 

SAFE Coalition co-founders, Jen Levine and Jim Derick welcomed the group. Jen spoke first and introduced Rev Jacob Juncker who led the group with a brief prayer. Meg spoke next of her recovery journey and the loss of her brother. Jim Derick spoke of his journey and the loss of his son. Rev Kathy McAdams closed with a prayer.

The group then lit candles, there were a few other remarks but my audio didn’t successfully pick those up. Franklin TV did record the event also. When the video is available, we’ll share that too.

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1267-ioad-safe-vigil-08-31-24/

--------------

International Overdose Awareness Day -> https://www.overdoseday.com/ 

SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Photo album of the speakers at the event ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZHnpUwiWmqximfB9

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

4th Annual vigil for International Overdose Awareness Day held on Town Common (audio)

Franklin Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day with Community Vigil - August 31, 2024

International Overdose Awareness Day will be marked this year in Franklin with a community vigil from 6 PM to 7 PM on August 31 at Franklin Town Common. This annual event is intended to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of those left behind. 

The vigil is hosted by SAFE Coalition, a local nonprofit committed to inclusive and judgement-free support for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and family support. SAFE and volunteers will also place memorial flags in Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham. 

Jennifer Knight-Levine, CEO and co-founder of SAFE, says commemoration like IOAD is not just for those whose lives have been touched by overdose, but the entire community. “Losing a loved one to addiction can be isolating and deeply painful,” says Knight-Levine. “Coming together and building community with those who have felt a similar loss leaves everyone with a greater sense of connection and purpose.”

Franklin Commemorates Overdose Awareness Day with Community Vigil - August 31, 2024

The threat of overdose is both serious and urgent. Massachusetts experienced 2,125 fatal overdoses in 2023, making the state 15th in the nation for overdose deaths, according to the state’s Department of Health. The Center for Disease Control reports over 107,000 people died nationwide from overdose in 2023. 

According to Knight-Levine, the need for awareness-raising events like IOAD is more important than ever. 

“The opioid epidemic has dramatically changed how we think about prescribing practices, family medication history, and the power and role of pharmaceutical companies,” says Knight-Levine. “But it has most directly broken families and torn apart communities. This vigil is really a community formed to honor and remember those who have passed from an overdose.”

This year, thousands of communities worldwide will participate in IOAD, which was established in 2001. The theme of IOAD 2024 is “Together We Can,” highlighting the power of our community when we all stand together. 

Those wishing to volunteer with SAFE to place flags or help with the vigils can email info@safecoalitionma.org People can also participate by using the hashtags #TogetherWeCan #IOAD2024 #EndOverdose. 

With support groups, educational courses, events, training, support services and more, SAFE provides a whole-person, whole-family, whole-community approach to addiction, prevention, and recovery. To learn more about SAFE’s offerings or volunteer, visit the SAFE website -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

WHAT: Public vigil 

DATE: Saturday, Aug. 31

TIME: 6 PM to 7 PM

PLACE: Franklin Town Common

Mark the date: International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2024

"Last year, 2,125 people died from overdose in Massachusetts (MA DPH). Join us to remember and honor loved ones we’ve lost to overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is observed each August 31. On this day, communities worldwide come together to reduce overdose stigma, increase understanding and awareness, remember those who died of overdose, and prevent drug-related harm.

For IOAD, SAFE will host a community vigils from 6 – 7 PM at Franklin and Wrentham Town Commons. They will also work with community members to place memorial flags across the region.

To volunteer with SAFE for Overdose Awareness Day, complete this form forms.office.com/r/pXtEQrKpTi or email info@safecoalitionma.org

Mark the date: International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C9xIzjTp7Ul/

SAFE coalition provides FREE NARCAN training

Via the SAFE Coalition: 

SAFE coalition provides FREE NARCAN training

"Save a life.
Carry Narcan.

Over 100,000 community members lose their life to overdose every year. A higher rate of overdoses happen during the summer months.

One pill can kill.

Fentanyl, Xylazine, and Nitazene are dramatically impacting the rate at which someone experiences an overdose.

You and your loved ones are worthy of support. You are not alone.

We train and provide Narcan at no cost:
email us at info@safecoalitionma.org"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8XlVUhxEey/