Lights of Hope Vigil Honored Lost Lives
Participants gathered on the Ohio River to remember those lost to substance abuse during National Recovery Month.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Substance Abuse
The Lights of Hope vigil brought the community together Sunday night to launch ribbon-decorated lanterns into the Ohio River. The event, held in honor of National Recovery Month, serves as a source of support for families struggling with substance abuse.
Why it matters
This vigil aims to provide hope for healing to families affected by addiction. It transforms individual grief into a collective effort to address the ongoing impact of substance abuse on the community.
The event utilized 988 as the official contact number for those seeking substance abuse assistance. While the vigil drew families from across the region, the specific number of attendees remains unreported.
The players
Marilyn Greenwell
She is the founder of the Lights of Hope vigil and an active member of the southern Indiana chapter of The Addict's Mom.
The Addict's Mom
This is a support organization dedicated to providing resources and community for parents of children struggling with addiction.
The details
Marilyn Greenwell, who founded the event one year after losing her daughter to an overdose in May 2016, organized the vigil through her southern Indiana chapter of The Addict's Mom. Participants decorated lanterns with specific ribbon colors to symbolize different categories of struggle, including active addiction, recovery, and death.
Timeline
May 2016 marked the death of Marilyn Greenwell's daughter.
The Lights of Hope vigil occurred on Sunday night, September 27, 2026.
The Big Picture
The Lights of Hope vigil follows the pattern set by National Recovery Month by using community engagement to destigmatize addiction issues.
The vigil connects families with community support systems and highlights the availability of the 988 crisis line. Residents affected by substance abuse can utilize these resources to find immediate guidance and professional care.
The takeaway
Memorial events provide a vital space for families to process grief and find community in the wake of addiction. Implementing a support network can offer essential emotional stability for those navigating the recovery journey.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives and resources at Louisville Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wdrbwave.
