Downtown businesses were asked to put a flameless candle and sign in their windows.
WESTFIELD – Kathleen Sitler, coordinator of the Westfield Drug Task Force is grateful to the downtown business community for their overwhelming support of the Opioid Awareness Vigil to be held this Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in Park Square Green.
Sitler and two volunteers visited businesses on Elm and Main Streets last Thursday and Friday, asking them to put flameless candles in their windows as a show of support for the vigil. They gave out more than 50 candles, she said.
“The reception that we received from the downtown businesses was tremendous; an amazing show of support,” Sitler said, adding, “We missed some, but every business we went to with the exception of one, said absolutely, give me a candle and I’ll put it in the window.”
Sitler said they spent a good amount of time talking with the owners, who asked how they could help with the overall effort. “I’ve said from the beginning of this effort with the creation of the Task Force – there are very few people who don’t have a story to tell, who don’t know somebody who is struggling,” said Sitler, who worked on the Task Force as a volunteer for several years before becoming part-time staff this May.
Joseph Wynn, co-owner of Two Rivers Burrito Co. on Elm St.
One of the business owners that agreed to put the candle in its window was Joseph Wynn, co-owner of Two Rivers Burrito Co. on Elm Street. “That’s the least we could do to support a good cause. For my family personally, and a good family friend, we’ve been directly affected by the struggles of substance abuse,” Wynn said.
“It was quite eye opening for me. One of my biggest hopes for the vigil was community support. When you see that kind of support in a community, it goes a long way to demonstrate something I’ve always known – Westfield is a community that’s really supportive of its members,” Sitler said.
Along with the candle, Sitler and her volunteers gave the businesses a small sign with the message: This business supports “city without stigma.”
“This is the third vigil I’ve done for overdose awareness. It’s our continued effort to remove the stigma in Westfield,” said Mayor Brian P. Sullivan. “Community support has been very strong – notice the candles in the window,” he added.
Sullivan went on to say that he appreciates the fact that the community comes together for such an important cause. “We feel we’ve made a difference, if in no other way, than to show it affects most of us,” he said. Sullivan also gave credit to the police and fire who have to deal with this every day, and families who have been affected on a day to day basis.
The Mayor said some progress has been made, such as with doctors who understand prescription drugs better. “Things have changed. The stigma being removed; understanding it’s a problem and there are places to get treatment. We’re still responding to far too many. It will take a while,” Sullivan said.
Sitler said last year, 100 to 150 people came to the vigil. “We’re hoping for as many people as we can get. Providers and support groups will be on hand with information and support, as well as the Westfield Police Department and Westfield Fire Department.”
The Wall of Healing and Hope which was created three years ago to allow anyone who would like to write a message will be on display. Materials will be available to write messages and people are also welcome to bring photos of their loved ones to post. A speaker will talk about her personal journey of loss, local musicians led by Brian Barnes will play, and local leaders and faith-based groups will be on hand to lend support.
In case of rain, the vigil will move inside the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church.
“It promises to be a very nice event,” Sitler said.
