OLEAN N.Y. — Winning Olean Back added 12 names to an area list of those killed by drug overdoses and addiction this year, but those who gathered Saturday still have hope for those suffering today.
The third annual Winning Olean Back candlelight vigil was held at Franchot Park Saturday night during International Overdose Awareness Day. Held at the gazebo near the park’s entrance, the vigil was led by Shannon Scott, founder and executive director of Winning Olean Back, a group formed three years ago when Jill, a family friend of the Scotts, died of a heroin overdose.
As visitors stood holding lighted candles, a memorial list of about 100 names of Cattaraugus County and other nearby residents who have died as a result of drug overdose or as a result of addiction, with 12 additional names included in this year’s vigil.
“We’re all just little people who just want to help each other in any way we can,” Scott said, advising those in attendance to seek community resources for overdose prevention.
Scott also noted that her phone is open as a crisis hotline 24/7, and is also able to be reached for any assistance through the Facebook page facebook.com/groups/WinningOleanBack/.
Winning Olean Back is a resource that offers advice and treatment options to families of addicts. They are well-known throughout the community, and are supported by people like Pastor Tyrone Hall of the Lighthouse Church of God of Prophecy, who spoke at the vigil.
“You can live 40 days with no food, eight days with no water, but you can only live two seconds without hope,” Hall said.
Hall lead a prayer as those in attendance held hands in solidarity.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” he said.
After a moment of silence, visitors viewed a photo collection of a few of the people whose names were read during the vigil.
“We just want to remember them,” Scott said. “That’s why we do this.”
Hall was honored for his work in the ministry and speaking with individuals about addiction. Also honored at the ceremony was officer Matt Schnell for the work he has done to help so many in the community.
Casey Smith of Mix 101.5 also spoke at the event about his struggles with addiction and the power of recovery.
“Reaching out for help is the biggest step for an addict or a friend of an addict,” he said.
“We can move forward,” he added.
Following was the candlelight vigil, where the names were read followed by a moment of silence. People then wrote personalized messages to lost loved ones and attached them to purple and orange balloons, which were released all at once to culminate the vigil.
Purple is the color of overdose awareness, and the vigil was held Friday in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.
Winning Olean Back meets regularly at the Harvest Field Ministries on West State Street between Third and Fourth streets.
