Network for Youth and #StoptheStigma release 132 balloons for International Overdose Awareness Day

By Tim Wohlers



Members of the organizations Network for Youth and #StoptheStigma came together for a balloon release in Black River Falls last month, to spread awareness about ongoing problems in the community. 
“We work together to increase awareness of the challenges in our community,” said President of Network for Youth Donna Sigler.  “We provide encouragement to take necessary actions to create positive changes.” 
More than 20 people attended the event, where the names of lost loved ones were written upon balloons that would be let go.  The people who put it together said the gesture was a way to pay tribute to those individuals. 
“It’s a way of memorializing them,” said Executive Director of #StoptheStigma Tena Quackenbush.  “And it will help us with the grieving process.” 
Over a hundred balloons were released that day, and nearly as many tears shed.  But by the end, participants took comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones were now in a better place. 
“I hope that they’re getting some kind of closure,” Quackenbush said. 
The two organizations have agreed to make the balloon release an annual event. 



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