CARES Alliance will observe overdose awareness day on Aug. 26

Posted 20 August 2025 at 7:59 am

Press Release, UConnectCare

BATAVIA – “One big family, driven by hope” is the theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) campaign – the annual observance that includes a local event from 4 to 7 p.m. August 26th at St. Anthony’s in Batavia, hosted by the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming CARES Alliance.

The world’s largest annual movement to end overdose, IOAD is dedicated to remembering without stigma those who have died and acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind.

More than 200 community events have been scheduled across the United States and around the world during the month of August to raise awareness of one of society’s worst public health crises.

Initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, IOAD spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.

Goals of the campaign include:

Providing an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame.
Providing information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose.
Sending a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.

The GOW CARES Alliance ceremony will feature several speakers including Lynda Battaglia, director of Genesee County Mental Health & Community Services; Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee & Orleans Health Departments; Erin Martin, Pastor at City Church; and Chris Budzinack, Supportive Living counselor at UConnectCare.

The event will feature live music by Groove and a Kid’s Zone. The Kid’s Zone will offer sensory bins to search for prizes, DIY canvas bags, crafts, chalk art, temporary tattoos, and games. They will have snacks, drinks, and ice pops available. The Kid’s Zone will also include a Back to School Bash, providing school supplies for kids in all grades – items like water bottles, book bags, scientific calculators, and other basic school supplies. Funding for school supplies is from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and JM McDonald Foundation.

Representatives of over 30 nonprofit agencies have been invited to set up booths at the park.

For more information about the event, contact Sue at sgagne@uconnectcare.org.