Behind the Scenes on International Overdose Awareness Day

It was a busy week for Lindy Cares Youth Coalition! On their precious last few days of summer, the incoming leadership team spent time with local students to share their experiences in community service and invite them to take an active role in creating an environment where they believe they can thrive.

Then it was onto the businesses. Walking down the Main Street of Lindy, business owners invited our team to share their stories and place candlelit lanterns in the windows of our village merchants. Special Thanks to Danaher Wealth Management, Bak & Vogel Paints, Patsy's Bakery, South Bay News, Ridgewood Savings Bank, and more for sharing our vision of a place where young people can grow up safely and well informed.

Finally, it was on to our evening event. At twilight, a gathering of law enforcement, the Police Explorers, coalition leaders, parents, residents, our prevention provider representative from Hope of Youth, and government officials to conduct the evidence-based practice of removing unused, unwanted, and expired medications from our community medicine chests. We collected over 50 Pounds of drugs for safe disposal. During our vigil it was comforting to know that our little lanterns lined Wellwood Avenue as we collectively sent strength and love to our friends, neighbors and families who carry the loss of loved one all year round.

We are honored that Terence McSweeney, Town Councilman, Geri Compitello, Town Clerk, Guy Calla of Legislator McCaffrey's office, Legislator Jason Richberg, and Eckor Joseph, Town Attorney gave their time and input.

Their dedication reminds us that we are not alone, that ending addiction is a community goal, and we are all in this together.

Lindy Cares Coalition promised to serve as a conduit to professional services and resources in 2013. Since then, our Town Supervisor, Rich Schaffer, and Beacon Family Wellness Center have strived to build infrastructure supporting strong paths from addiction to treatment to recovery.

Doug Madlon closed our evening with a blessing and a prayer. We thank Ann Parmely of Senator Boyle's office and our Mayor and Deputy Mayor Mike Lavorata and Maryann Weckerle for spending time with our group and providing us with support. Thank you to our school district and new superintendent Anthony Davidson for approving the venue for this vital campaign.

We can't do this without you; everyone has a place in the Town of Babylon cares project.

Join now to receive updates on events and campaigns and join us. www.babyloncares.org

Most importantly thank you to the friendly residents who came by to say hello. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and contributing to safer communities by joining the movement to end addiction. (Don't forget to scroll through the pics!)