Walk to Remember to Take Place in Ludlow on Oct. 28

LUDLOW — The Ludlow CARES Coalition, in partnership with the Michael J. Dias Foundation, will host Ludlow’s fourth annual Walk to Remember on Sunday, Oct. 28 at Ludlow High School.

Community members are invited to gather beginning at 5 p.m. to remember those who have lost their battle with addiction or depression, and those still struggling or in recovery. Luminarias will be available for those who would like to create one to light up the path in tribute or support of a loved one.

The walk will begin at the track promptly at 6 p.m. and end at the front of the high school with a brief ceremony. The Rev. Gary Grimes is scheduled to share a blessing and express his gratitude for the gains being made against the opioid crisis. Judge Charles Groce III, presiding judge for the Springfield District Court, will share his remarks on addiction and the rehabilitation of youthful offenders. Representatives from the Ludlow CARES Coalition and the Michael J. Dias Foundation will also speak, accompanied by the Ludlow High School Chorale, directed by Dan Henry.

Narcan training will be available, courtesy of Tapestry and thanks to grant funding, before and after the walk. The Ludlow Board of Health will also distribute medication-disposal bags.

“It’s imperative that we increase access to Narcan to anyone at high risk of overdosing or who might witness an overdose,” said Cindy Miller, Tapestry’s director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and a CARES board member. “We need to increase community education on recognizing and preventing an overdose. Narcan saves lives every day in Western Massachusetts by reversing the effects of an overdose.”

The event is scheduled to close Red Ribbon week, the national drug and violence prevention campaign observed annually every October. For more information on the Walk to Remember, visit the Ludlow CARES Coalition Facebook page or ludlowcarescoalition.org.