Council has declared August 31, 2026, International Overdose Awareness Day in North Grenville, supporting an opportunity to remember those lost to overdose, acknowledge the grief of families and friends, and help reduce the stigma surrounding substance use.

You may notice several purple symbols of remembrance around the community:

💜 The Rotary Park Clock will shine purple from August 24 to September 7, with lighting provided by Beth Donovan Hospice.

🪑 Purple Chairs, painted by the Kemptville Youth Centre, are a powerful symbol of the empty chairs left behind by lives lost to overdose. One will be displayed at the Municipal Centre throughout August.

💟 Purple memorial flags placed during the August 31 gathering will remain in the Rotary Park garden for one week, creating a visible tribute to those being remembered.

The International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Gathering takes place Monday, August 31, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Rotary Park in Kemptville, with music, poetry, personal reflections and a reading of names in remembrance.

The purple throughout our community carries a message: we remember, we reduce stigma, and we choose compassion.