On Saturday, August 31st, the Sioux Falls community will gather at the Greenway Amphitheater at 8:00 p.m. to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day. The event, organized by Emily’s Hope, Helpline Center and Face It Together, aims to raise awareness about the staggering impact of overdose deaths and advocate for change.
According to the CDC, 107,543 people tragically lost their lives to overdose in 2022 alone. This alarming figure represents the urgent need for collective action and support for those affected by addiction. With an average of 295 lives lost daily to overdose in the United States, it is vital that we come together to address this crisis. 44 people have died in Minnehaha & Lincoln Counties since January of 2023 from drug overdose.
The candlelight vigil will be held on the Greenway Amphitheater in downtown Sioux Falls below Cherapa Place and the iconic Arc of Dreams. In solidarity with the global event, the Arc of Dreams will be illuminated in vibrant purple, the symbolic color of International Overdose Awareness Day. The emcee for the event is Emily’s Hope Founder Angela Kennecke. Guest speakers include Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum and Jenny & Jim Orr, who lost their 15-year-old daughter, Kelcy, to fentanyl poisoning.
During the vigil, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to the courageous stories of families who have experienced the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one to addiction. Their narratives will serve as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact that substance use disorder and fentanyl can have on individuals and their families. By sharing these stories, we aim to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and foster empathy and support within our community.
The event will also provide valuable information on how to seek help and support for those struggling with addiction. Understanding the available resources and pathways to assistance is vital in addressing this crisis effectively. We aspire to guide anyone seeking to make a difference, whether by seeking treatment, supporting a loved one, or getting involved in advocacy and prevention efforts.
Please join us on August 31st at 8:00 p.m. CDT at the Greenway Amphitheater as we unite to honor and remember those who have lost their lives to overdose. Together, we can create a compassionate and supportive community that helps prevent future tragedies and supports individuals on their journey to recovery.
To schedule an interview with Angela Kennecke, please contact Kayli Fitz at kayli@emilyshope.charity.
About Emily’s Hope
Emily’s Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to removing the stigma of substance use disorder through awareness, education, and prevention; and removing financial barriers for treatment and recovery. Founded by Angela Kennecke in memory of her daughter Emily, Emily’s Hope has helped nearly 250 people enter recovery and has developed a prevention education curriculum for students K-12 and a post-overdose response team to help survivors of overdose.