Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 2, 2022 Overdose victims remembered on International Overdose Awareness Day By Tara Vocino T hose lost to addiction were solemnly remembered during the overdose awareness vigil at The Bridge Recovery Center on Wednesday on International Overdose Awareness Day. Shown from left to right: Malden residents Joy Bailey, Janice Avant, Tisha Goullaud, Bella Goullaud, Donnell Bailey, and Althea Harvey, who are in recovery, are shown during the Overdose Awareness Day vigil held by The Bridge Recovery on Wednesday. Pictured from left to right: Volunteer Coordinator Tara Killeen, Peer Support Samantha Ford, Director KerriAnn Caccavaro and Peer Support Kerri Loftus organized Wednesday’s overdose awareness vigil at The Bridge Recovery Center. Memorial bags are illuminated beside the ribbon. The Bridge Recovery Center Director KerriAnn Caccavaro said watching a 20-minute overdose awareness memorial slideshow is unacceptable. The Bridge Recovery Center Volunteer Coordinator Tara Killeen thanked everyone for paying homage to those lost. Robert Gonzalez prayed for those who lost their lives to addiction, adding it is a celebration of life, not a funeral service. Nicholas Savini, the brother of one of the speakers, Shawn, was featured in the memorial video on international awareness overdose day. Speaker Janice Avant lost her son, Michael, to a headache pill that, without his knowledge, was laced with fentanyl. Kristina Pezzulo wore shirts in memory of her boyfriend, Shawn Coleman, and Elena Pezzulo in memory of her brother, Anthony Pezzulo. Shawn Savini spoke in his brother’s Joseph’s, 34, and Nicholas’ 29, memory; Malden resident Janice Avant spoke in remembrance of her son, Michael Lewis, 46, and Kevin O’Leary spoke in memory of his sister, Meghan, 43. A Vision Of Hope Founder Joseph and his father, Ward 7 Councillor Chris Simonelli, The Family Restored volunteers Jessica Bees, in back, Courtney Carleo, Benjamin Coffin, in back, and Malden Overcoming Addiction board of directors member Linda Cochran, Gavin certified recovery coach Gail Poirer and recovery coach Susan Jeselonis. Mark O’Keefe in memory of his brother, Corey Richard, 36, and Calvary Christian Church Celebrate Recovery Pastor Sterling Key. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino)
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