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DUNKIRK, N.Y. \u2013 Together We Can CHQ invites residents, businesses, organizations, schools, and community leaders throughout Chautauqua County to participate in Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week, taking place August 24\u201331, 2026.<\/p>\n
This county-wide initiative promotes hope, healing, remembrance, recovery, education, and community connection while encouraging meaningful conversations about substance use and mental health. Throughout the week, the community is invited to participate in themed Spirit Week activities, attend local events, and stand together in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.<\/p>\n
Together We Can CHQ is a community-driven overdose awareness coalition dedicated to fostering hope, healing, connection, and compassion. Through its Be the Light Initiatives, the coalition works to fight stigma, support recovery, honor lives, and strengthen the community through education, advocacy, harm reduction, and meaningful connection.<\/p>\n
While the coalition\u2019s work is rooted in Chautauqua County, every Overdose Awareness Week initiative is officially registered through the International Overdose Awareness Day Campaign, connecting local efforts to the world\u2019s largest annual campaign dedicated to preventing overdose, reducing stigma, honoring lives lost, and supporting individuals and families affected by substance use.<\/p>\n
Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week Spirit Week<\/p>\n
Several community buildings, listed below, will be participating by \u201cKeeping the Light On,\u201d illuminating their buildings purple to recognize this observance. Community members are encouraged to participate by wearing the daily themes, visiting buildings illuminated in purple, taking photos with coworkers, friends, family members, classrooms, or organizations, and sharing them on Facebook and Instagram while tagging\u00a0Together We Can CHQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n List of Participants in \u201cKeeping the Light On\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Mayville Village Clerks Office<\/p>\n 1 South Erie Street<\/p>\n Mayville, New York<\/p>\n Depot located at 16 water street Mayville<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jamestown City Hall<\/p>\n 200 East Third St., Jamestown, NY 14701<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dunkirk City Hall<\/p>\n 342 Central Ave, Dunkirk, NY 14048<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dunkirk Police Department<\/p>\n 342 Central Ave #1, Dunkirk, NY 14048<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Schedule of Events<\/p>\n Monday, August 24: Challenge the Stigma Tuesday, August 25: Peace Out to Accidental Overdose Wednesday, August 26: Band Together Thursday, August 27: Glow for Awareness Friday, August 28: Be the Light Saturday, August 29: Let\u2019s Team Together Sunday, August 30: International Overdose Awareness Day Third Annual Be the Light: Anyone Can Save a Life<\/p>\n The signature event of Overdose Awareness Week is the 3rd Annual Be the Light: Anyone Can Save a Life, taking place on Saturday, August 29, from 6:00\u20138:00 PM at the Lower Pavilion, Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk.<\/p>\n Unlike a traditional awareness event, Be the Light combines education, prevention, remembrance, family activities, and community connection into one evening designed to reduce stigma, build hope, and bring lifesaving resources directly to the people who need them.<\/p>\n Event highlights include a community resource fair featuring local organizations, live music by Miranda Wilcox, community yoga led by Dyann Bourne of Reborne Wellness, inspiring stories of hope and recovery, children’s activities, face painting, games, and prizes. Evergreen Health will provide free opioid overdose prevention education, naloxone (Narcan) training, harm reduction resources, and medication disposal education. Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone will present information about New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan Law. The evening will also include food, a basket raffle and 50\/50 fundraiser, and freshly pressed Together We Can CHQ event T-shirts available for purchase.<\/p>\n As the evening concludes, attendees will gather for a community remembrance vigil led by Reverend Jim LaBarr of Harvest Chapel. The ceremony will include a moment of silence, prayer, and a purple glow wand tribute honoring the lives of those lost to accidental overdose while offering hope and healing to families, friends, and the community.<\/p>\n Together We Can CHQ\u2019s work extends throughout the year. The coalition offers free community opioid overdose prevention and naloxone trainings, is launching the Be the Light Grief Support Group this September for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one to substance use, and established the Be the Light Scholarship, which supports the continuing education and professional development of first responders throughout Chautauqua County. This year marks the awarding of the coalition\u2019s first scholarship.<\/p>\n Community Support Needed<\/p>\n We could not do this without help. Thank you to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, The Recovery Center of Niagara and Lakeside Medical Practice for their donations and sponsorship. If you or your organization would like to support as well, Together We Can CHQ is currently seeking:<\/p>\n Community partnersEvent sponsorsResource fair participantsVolunteersBasket raffle donationsMonetary donationsBusinesses interested in long-term partnershipsCommunity members interested in joining the coalition<\/p>\n The coalition meets monthly via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month and welcomes anyone who shares its mission of creating a compassionate community where stigma is challenged, recovery is supported, lives are honored, and hope creates pathways to healing and connection.<\/p>\n For additional information, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, coalition membership, or media inquiries, please contact:<\/p>\n Jennifer Larson, LCSW, CASAC-T Call or Text: (716) 248-8678<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Email:\u00a0togetherwecanchq@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Together We Can CHQ on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for updates throughout Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week.<\/p>\n Together, we can challenge stigma. Support recovery. Honor lives. Be the Light.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
Wear recovery or mental health apparel.<\/p>\n
Wear tie-dye.<\/p>\n
Wear your favorite band or concert T-shirt.<\/p>\n
Wear neon or bright colors.<\/p>\n
Wear purple or your Together We Can CHQ shirt and join us for our community event.<\/p>\n
Wear your favorite sports team apparel or jersey.<\/p>\n
Wear purple, honor those we have lost, celebrate recovery, and join communities around the world in raising awareness and inspiring hope.<\/p>\n
Founder, Together We Can CHQ
Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist<\/p>\n