Walden residents and visitors, draped in raincoats and umbrellas, arrived at 104 East Main Street last Saturday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. to visit a special memorial: a chain link fence decorated with padlocks, each representing friends and family who passed away from overdosing. Despite the evening’s stormy weather, these individuals were determined to remember their lost loved ones and support those recovering from addiction during the village’s annual Overdose Awareness Day.

This event is just one of many held across the world during International Overdose Awareness Day; normally on August 31, this global campaign began in 2001 as a response to the rise in overdose deaths. Jody Nicoli, a Walden resident who began her recovery six years ago, brought the tradition to Walden in commemoration of her friend Jessie, who passed away from an overdose in 2020.

“I am in recovery, I had six years as of this month. The last time I was in treatment was October 9, 2018, and I came home on January 11. When I was there, I met a lot of great people, and this one girl who wore cat ears every day kind of stuck out,” Nicoli recounted. “I got out of rehab before her. She got out months later, and within a year, she had passed away from fentanyl.”

“I’ve lost so many friends from the disease of addiction. And for some reason, her passing made me really want to do something, so I thought of this,” she continued. “I had to go propose it to the village, and they didn’t give me an answer that night. I waited almost a month to go back, and I had to go up in front of them one more time. They all voted in favor of it, and they all said that I cried hysterically. It meant that we were able to build this.”

While several speakers could not make it to the memorial due to the weather, both the attendees and organizations made the most of the evening, the latter including the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County, Mental Health Association in OC, New Life Manor, Piera: The Spiritual Oasis, and Sean’s Dream. Lillo Brancato Jr., an actor who helps overdose survivors with recovery, appeared at the event and thanked everyone for their continued support for the cause. He stressed that even in the most dire circumstances, there is always hope for those afflicted by addiction.

“I once was in the trenches of addiction, and one day, it was just a modern-day miracle. Something was lifted, and I don’t know if it was because I wanted it or whatever else,” Brancato said. “Just know if you’re sick or struggling, there is a better way. I did it, and so many out there that did it. And I hate to say it, but you don’t wanna be that person who dies this way.”

Following brief messages from a few attendees, Nicoli initiated the candle-lit vigil. Members of Long Island’s Beading Hearts, including Lori McGauley, Karen Sweeting, and Lori Lehat-Oropez, read the names of numerous overdose victims who passed away across the country. While listening, attendants held out candles in remembrance, signifying that while these victims may be gone, their stories will never be forgotten.