VERMILLION, S.D. – Emily’s Hope has taken another step toward saving lives by placing a free naloxone distribution box at Pump N Pak in Vermillion. This public access box, located at 629 Stanford Street, is stocked with naloxone kits to help reverse opioid overdoses and prevent tragic losses in the community.
Each kit includes two doses of naloxone, gloves and detailed instructions for use. A QR code is also provided, linking directly to Emily’s Hope resources, including video tutorials for administering naloxone and information about substance use prevention.
This lifesaving initiative would not have been possible without Pump N Pak owner Kevin Annis, who supported hosting the naloxone box on his property.
Honoring Kelcy Orr
This naloxone box is placed in memory of Kelcy Orr, a 15-year-old Vermillion resident who tragically lost her life to fentanyl poisoning in December 2023. Kelcy unknowingly took a pill laced with fentanyl, leading to her untimely death.
Her parents, Jim and Jenny Orr, discovered her lifeless body in her bedroom the next morning. Jenny recalled, “I just held her. I kept saying, ‘Why?’ Right beside her was a little baggie with four blue pills. Her friend told us that she watched her take that pill the night before. She fell asleep while she was on the phone with her.”
In the wake of their devastating loss, Jim and Jenny have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and to help others avoid similar heartbreak. Their advocacy played a key role in bringing this naloxone box to Vermillion, providing the community with a vital tool to combat overdose deaths.
Saving Lives, One Kit at a Time
Since launching its free naloxone distribution program in May 2024, Emily’s Hope has distributed more than 2,000 doses of naloxone across South Dakota. Public naloxone boxes are already available at several locations:
- Falls Community Health (Sioux Falls)
- Jones421 (Sioux Falls)
- Tires, Tires, Tires – S. Minnesota Ave. (Sioux Falls)
- Tires, Tires, Tires – S. St. Michaels Cir. (Sioux Falls)
Plans are also underway to install additional boxes in Pierre, Rapid City, and other communities across the state.
These boxes are repurposed newspaper dispensers, making naloxone accessible to anyone in need. Each box is restocked regularly to ensure the community has continuous access to this lifesaving medication.
A Community United Against Overdose
The placement of the naloxone box at Pump N Pak is a testament to the power of community collaboration in addressing the opioid crisis. By providing free and accessible naloxone, Emily’s Hope and its partners are working to reduce overdose deaths and support those impacted by substance use.
“As Kelcy‘s parents, we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her story and using her voice to advocate for change. We strive for bring awareness to communities, help promote effective solutions, and continue working toward the goal of ensuring that no other family is affected by this epidemic,” Jenny Orr Said.
For more information about Emily’s Hope initiatives, resources, and the story of Kelcy Orr, take this link. Together, we can save lives, honor those we’ve lost, and bring hope to communities across South Dakota.