On Sunday, August 30, the Big Fish Ministries family gathered with our community at Heritage Park in Foley, Alabama, for our 2026 Overdose Awareness Day event. Nearly 300 people came together on a hot and humid evening to honor lives lost to overdose, support those still struggling with addiction, and unite our community to take meaningful action.
It was an evening filled with worship, testimonies, prayer and hope.
Remembering Those We’ve Lost
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was planting purple flags in memory of loved ones lost to overdose. Each flag represented a name and a story, reminding us that behind every statistic is a person who was deeply loved.
We gathered together to pray over the families carrying the weight of loss. We asked God to bring comfort, strength and healing to those who continue to grieve. Their loved ones will not be forgotten.
A Community United
This event was also a powerful reminder that addiction affects every corner of our community, and overcoming it requires all of us.
About 20 vendors from across Baldwin County joined us, providing resources, encouragement and connections for individuals and families. We are grateful for every organization and individual who showed up to serve our community and help people find a path toward recovery.
We were also honored to hear from representatives of our first responder community. These men and women see the realities of addiction and overdose firsthand, and their willingness to stand with us in the fight made the evening especially meaningful.
Stories of Inspiration
At Big Fish Ministries, we believe there is power in sharing our stories.
Our Men’s Program Director, Joey Fowler, shared his testimony, reminding us that addiction does not have to be the end of someone’s story. Recovery is possible, transformation is real and there is hope for a new life.
We were also honored to welcome Frances Holk Jones, Alabama State Representative for Baldwin County, District 95, as our featured speaker. She spoke about the importance of overdose awareness and the critical role community support plays in addressing addiction.
Her message reinforced something we know to be true: we cannot fight this battle alone. Awareness opens the door, but compassion, connection and action are what help communities move toward healing.
Worship in the Park
Break Thru Worship Band helped create a powerful atmosphere of praise, inviting everyone to join in as they played and sang. In the middle of a gathering focused on something as painful as overdose and addiction, there was also room for gratitude and worship.
Sweet Relief From the Heat
We have to give a special shout-out to Kona Ice for helping everyone survive the heat! With temperatures soaring and humidity hanging in the air, their variety of shaved ice was a welcome—and very refreshing—treat for attendees.
There Is Hope
To everyone who attended this year’s event, shared a testimony, worshiped with us, planted a purple flag, prayed with a family or served as a vendor—we thank you. Your presence mattered.
To the families who gathered to remember someone they love: we see you, and we remember with you.
To those currently struggling with addiction: you are not alone, and your story is not over.
And to our Baldwin County community: thank you for standing together.
We believe God is continuing to bring freedom, restoration and new life to our communities. The fight continues, but so does the hope.
Thank you for making Overdose Awareness Day 2026 an evening we won’t forget.
