NEVER FORGOTTEN
Haverford unveils memorial to victims of opioid crisis:
HAVERFORD >> Families touched by opioid addiction will now have a visible memorial to their loved ones taken by the cruel disease.
On Monday evening, the Havertown Alliance for Drug Awareness unveiled a memorial statue that will remember those lost to addiction.
The event was held at the Kelly Center on Eagle Road.
The alliance was formed four years ago and was among the first in Delaware County to bring attention to the ravages that opioid addiction brings - years of suffering and often death to young people in the community.
“The holidays are tough for anyone that lost a loved one, but even tougher for families that have lost children, said Peggy Muir, the alliance’s director. “We decided it was time to do something that would memorialize all of our lost loved ones. We partnered with our township and HADA raised money to commission the bronze statue that will be placed on Darby Road in the spring.”
Among those on the committee who picked the design is Jon Orens, whose son Daniel died in November 2016 after battling addiction for 11 years.
“Two years ago, when we had a memorial service, I said to Peggy,;It would be nice if we had something permanent,’” said Orens. “With some effort we were able to get this statue.”
A committee was formed which included Suzanne McCarthy, Heather and Larry Arata, the Shraders, Kelly Maguire, David Rossi, Diane Amado and Anna Marie Lubonski. The group met at Havertown Pizza on Darby Road almost directly across from the location where the statue will be erected. The group immediately focused on a particular design that all agreed was a good choice.
“It’s perfect. The statue just touches everything. It’s boy, it’s girl, it’s innocence,” said Molly Maguire, who lost her daughter Kelly to addiction. “The birds, everyone knows the symbols of the birds, for me, I’m Roman Catholic, it’s the Holy Spirit. It’s perfect.”
Maguire went on to talk about the planned location on Darby Road.
“The middle school is right there,” said Maguire. “These kids are going to walk right by and think, ‘These are kids just like I am’ and maybe it will have an impression on them.”
Orens went on to point out that one of the alliance’s reasons for existing is drug awareness, and why its members feel so strongly about it.
“This is commemorating our children who grew up in this area. Equally important, this is a marketing campaign,” said Orens. “We want to tell the young families of Havertown the last thing we want is their children to have to be associated with this. They have to recognize what it is, and the harsh reality. We all know what everybody’s worst fear is. We’ve all experienced it. I want to scream at the young families, ‘God forbid you are going to lose your child, but there is a better chance you are going to lose it this way than any other way right now.’”
“This is such a great thing for the township,” said Haverford Commissioner Mario Oliva, who confirmed the township would assist with the placing of the statue at a minimal cost. “Thank God for HADA. It is something we need to pay attention to. Its efforts are good.”
Incoming Commissioner Conor Quinn was also in attendance.
Alex Kranjec, pastor at
the Mill Church, pointed out that the statue and service are reminders that these families are not alone.
“I want to thank everyone for this particular occasion,” said Sharon White. “Lloyd White is my son. He passed away this May after a 10-year very ambitious journey through his recovery and wellness. He loved to play Santa Claus, which was awesome. He loved children and animals.
I had a reflection on the way here, the fragmentation that happens when individuals have substance disorders and mental heath challenges. I have two other children. I have to be mindful, because sometimes they get lost in this journey, to share the love equally and making sure they feel the love equally and making sure they really feel how special they are too.”
Anna Marie Lubonski said her son Chris also liked to play Santa Claus. He would dress up and buy gifts for the children of family and friends. “He made
me proud, that’s all I asked of my children. I miss him every day. I can’t say in the past four years it’s gotten any easier, it’s just gotten different. We’ll know when they are around. All you have to do is look for the signs. Chris is with me all the time. I get all kinds of crazy signs. God bless you all and we’re here for each other when you need it.”
The statue will be able to be viewed by the general public at the Kelly Center on Thursday and Friday.
The evening ended with Katie Barbara of Bryn Mawr singing “Silent Night.”