This Saturday morning, groups will gather at the Owen Sound Farmer's Market to highlight the impact of the ongoing overdose crisis.
Hosted by the United Way Bruce Grey, Safe n Sound, Grey Bruce Public Health and National Overdose Response Service, the "We Remember Them" service will take place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Started in 2021, UWBG Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says the idea came from a local woman impacted by the crisis.
"We Remember Them started at the request of Gelja Sheardown, whose husband (Barrett Warwick) had died of an overdose," she said. "He was employed, housed, father of three; not someone we typically would think of having died from an overdose. She wanted to reduce stigma around overdoses and opioid use, that these are everyday people and she wanted to recognize and honour her husband that way."
Members of the public will be invited to take a carnation, walk the block around the Eighth and Ninth Street bridges and then drop the flower into the river, to symbolize the loss of those who have died to overdose.
Grey Bruce Public Health will be in attendance with Naloxone kits and information to provide the community with an understanding of the current opioid epidemic and donations will be accepted to support the SOS Project.
Dobbyn says there will be discussions on the impact locally.
"We do have families that have lost loved ones that come, talk about those they have lost," she said. "You know looking for updates on the new Wellness Centre that Brightshores is building – and we're waiting with baited breath for that to open – and just talking to people about the impact."
Those that want to attend are encouraged to come to the market on Eighth Street on April 6.
