The Tigger Foundation Overdose Awareness Walk Set In Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — The Tigger Stavola Foundation, dedicated to drug prevention through education, will hold its fourth annual Overdose Awareness Walk this Thursday, Aug. 31, beginning on Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank.

The walk, on Overdose Awareness Day, is a way to remember, without stigma, friends and family gone too soon to overdoses, the foundation's Stavola family says.

At least 200 are expected to join the walk, organizers say. The event is affiliated with International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the world’s largest annual campaign to end drug overdoses.

Already this month, municipalities around our area have been marking the passing of Monmouth County community members through overdose with purple flags prominently displayed as a reminder of the cost in lives. Fifty lives were lost to overdose in the first three months of this year, the county prosecutor's office says.

Each flag represents an individual lost to a fatal overdose in Monmouth County during the first quarter of the year - and an assurance that their lives are not reduced to a statistic.

"Each individual was an integral part of their community, with friends and family who loved them, and we remain steadfastly committed to honoring their memories by doing everything in our power to ensure that anyone and everyone seeking to take their first steps toward recovery gets the helping hand they need," Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said when he and members of his staff placed flags in front of his office earlier this month.

In Red Bank, the one-mile walk to Marine Park will begin from the foundation’s office at 93 Shrewsbury Ave.

The send-off will include an opening prayer by Pastor Terrence K. Porter of Pilgrim Baptist Church, 172 Shrewsbury Ave., in Red Bank. Walkers are encouraged to bring along photos of loved ones.

The program at the park will include a vocal performance from a student of Red Bank Regional’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy, a commemorative dove release and remarks from community leaders.

Plus, the HOPE (Heroin, Opioid, Prevention & Education) One Mobile Unit will also be on-site to demonstrate its services for those battling addiction.

Here are some details to help you join the walk and raise awareness:

• 5 p.m.: Meet for check-in and T-shirt pick up at 93 Shrewsbury Ave.
• 5:30 p.m.: Walk to Marine Park, Front Street, Red Bank.
• 6 p.m. Dove release, opening prayer, speakers, photos.

Here is the list of speakers:

• Assemblywomen (District 11) Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno.
• Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone.
• Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor and Recovery Diversion Program Coordinator Lindsay Ashwal.
• Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago.
• Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.
• Sen. Vin Gopal (District 11).
• Tigger Stavola Partner School speaker Shawn Metz.

"It’s time to act," organizers say, and they urge participants to consider who in their community has been affected by overdose that can be recognized on International Overdose Awareness Day.

The Tigger Stavola Foundation collaborates with local organizations, including the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County, elected officials and police and fire departments "to recognize this important day each year."

Follow social media for updates, and visit the Tigger Stavola Foundation for more information.

The Stavola family lost its son Tigger at the age of 25 years to accidental overdose. Established in Monmouth County in 2013 to honor Tigger’s legacy, The Tigger Stavola Foundation has as its mission to fight addiction, spread awareness and save lives through prevention and education.

The foundation has reached more than 60,000 local students with its education campaign on the dangers of substance use, and has established a partnership with Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic to provide 24/7 addiction navigation services, it says.

The Stavola family is active as philanthropists in the community. The family decided to honor its son and take a stand to fight the raging opiate/heroin epidemic that continues to devastate youth, the organization says.

In addition to fighting addiction, the foundation hopes to prevent future generations from the dangers of substance use disorder by promoting advocacy and awareness.

And it wants to share what it says is "the inspiring process behind addiction recovery."