Neighbors Saving Neighbors: Lessons from Save A Life Day
On September 25, neighbors across Franklin County gathered for Save A Life Day, a countywide effort to shift the overdose narrative from tragedy to prevention. From the packed space at Linden Fresh Market to the quiet reflection of the memorial table, the day was more than an event. It was a living demonstration of community care in action.
Who Walked Through the Doors
Officially, 160+ people signed in across five sites. But the true reach was far greater. At Linden alone, our staff and volunteers spoke with over a hundred guests, and many more filtered in without ever registering. Some were walking through the neighborhood or shopping at the market with no prior knowledge of the event. Yet those are often the neighbors least connected to resources, and precisely the ones who can find a turning point at an event like this.
When asked, two-thirds of attendees said they had witnessed an overdose, more than thirty had lived through one themselves, and only one in three carried Narcan regularly. These numbers show the scale of lived experience, and the urgency of bridging the gap between experience and preparedness.
What Was Shared and Given
Each partner represented a doorway, much more than a service. One guest might stop for supplies, then find themselves in a conversation about safe sleep, or meet someone who could walk with them through treatment options. Guests didn’t just leave with Narcan and fentanyl test strips, though hundreds of those were distributed. They also received winter hats, lock boxes, cookbooks, hygiene kits, and other essentials. At Linden, the mobile medical unit offered free, comprehensive care. Elsewhere, guests could connect directly with substance use treatment facilities and programs, opening doors to longer-term recovery.
The Power of Connection
For our team, the most powerful moments were in the conversations. Staff members Vanessa and Antonio asked each guest: “If there are two things that are your biggest concern right now, what would you say?” Then they responded with, “We can help with that.” By the end of the day, their bags were overflowing with sticky notes of names and phone numbers, guests who would be called, followed up with, and supported long after the tables were packed up.
Every time we thought the crowd was slowing down, more guests just kept filing in. It was good to see so many people take advantage of an event like this and connect with resources.
Community Impact
Across all five locations, 45+ community organizations engaged residents through education, supplies, and conversation. By day’s end, the collective effort placed 393 Narcan kits, 1,508 fentanyl test strips, and nearly 4,300 other health and safety items into the hands of community members. Each kit was a shield, each test strip a small act of awareness, and each exchange a conversation that chipped away at stigma.
And beyond the numbers, there was space for grief and hope. The memorial table filled with names and notes by the end of the day, bearing witness to the loved ones lost and the dreams still carried forward.
Why It Matters
In 2024, 467 Franklin County residents died from overdose. While overdose deaths are trending downward (701 in 2023, down from 753 in 2022) the crisis is far from over. Community-led events like Save A Life Day strengthen this progress by ensuring lifesaving tools and support reach the people most at risk, especially those who may never otherwise walk into a clinic or program.
This is the heart of Save A Life Day: neighbors walking in by chance, leaving with resources, and knowing for the first time that someone can help.
Carry Narcan. Talk about overdose and harm reduction. Keep showing up. Because in Franklin County, every life saved is progress toward a healthier, more just community.
