North Central IOAD & Night of Hope

💜 International Overdose Awareness Day 2026: Night of Remembrance & Hope 💜
Join us for an evening of remembrance, hope, and community as we honor those we have lost to overdose, support those who continue their recovery journey, and stand together to end the stigma surrounding substance use.
This year’s theme, “25 Years. Still Needed.”, marks the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day and reminds us that awareness, compassion, and action remain as important as ever.
🗓 Monday, August 31, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (immediately following the Monument Park event)
📍 City Hall Lawn, Monument Park
1 Cottage Street, Gardner, MA
The evening will feature:
🕯️ A beautiful Luminary Lighting Ceremony
🎶 Music
🎤 Community speakers
🎥 A memorial video honoring loved ones lost to overdose
💜 A time to gather in remembrance and find hope together
This is a free community event, and everyone is welcome.
Memorial Video Tribute
If you would like to honor a loved one in the memorial video, please submit their photo, name, date of birth, and date of passing by August 12, 2026 to [email protected].
Luminary bags may be decorated at Alyssa’s Place Peer Recovery & Resource Center and the Winchendon CAC prior to the event. Pick-up and drop-off information is available by contacting Alyssa’s Place at (978) 364-0920.
Together We Remember. Together We Find Hope.
Every life matters. Every story counts.