A Schuylkill County mother who lost her son to drugs is hoping his story will help others facing addiction.

Aimee Teel is organizing “The Faces of Tragedy: A Billboard Ceremony & Candlelight Vigil” in the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts, located at 6169 Cressona Mall Drive, near Pottsville, at 6:30 p.m. on July 3.

“This initiative marks the first time a billboard in Schuylkill County will showcase photos of loved ones tragically lost to the drug crisis, offering a powerful visual representation of the human toll this epidemic takes on our community,” said Teel, adding that the cause is personal for her. “I lost my 25-year-old son, Tomasso Dino, on Feb. 28, 2024, to illicit substance poisoning. My hope is that by sharing the faces of those we’ve lost, we can underscore the human tragedy of this crisis and inspire greater awareness and action.

“As a mother who has experienced this devastating loss firsthand, I will also be among the family members sharing my story during the event.”

In addition to the billboard ceremony, speakers include:

• Holly Maddox: A certified recovery specialist from Lehigh Valley Health Network.

• Tiffinee Baker: Founder of Breaking Down the Walls with Luv, a Lancaster-based nonprofit championing alternative holistic approaches to recovery.

• Family members of those lost to the drug epidemic.

• Brandon Synoraski (Boaty Blanco): A local musician in recovery. Brandon will be performing his original music, bringing a unique and personal artistic element to the evening.

The first 100 attendees will receive overdose prevention bags containing Narcan and other essential supplies. Additional Narcan will be available.

The event will also include a central resource table providing information on treatment, overdose prevention, grief support, and family resources. A photo memorial table will offer a space for remembrance, culminating in a community candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost.

“I believe this event, with its first billboard in Schuylkill County to showcase the faces of loss, powerful voices — including my own as a grieving mother — and direct provision of overdose prevention resources, presents a significant opportunity to shed light on the human stories behind the drug epidemic in Schuylkill County, highlight diverse perspectives on this issue, and connect our community with crucial support,” Teel said.

More information can be found on the Facebook event page: https://tinyurl.com/FacesOfTragedy.