EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS
LIGHT UP THE WORLD
Every year, our group honors our angels during the time of International Overdose Awareness in the month of August. We light a candle for our angels gone too soon, we speak their name. They are never forgotten. LUTW started with a simple idea on how to remember our loved ones and friends who have passed away due to SUD, Substance Use Disorder. We needed to find a way so that they would not be forgotten. In 2016 over 2,600 people attended and helped us shine bright only to exceed that number the past 2 years.
This is a worldwide event that is open to everyone. We will light up the world in the memory of our loved ones we have lost, as well as those still struggling to find their way to the road called Recovery, and those of us already there. We must remember that alcohol is also a substance. It can kill. This can happen to anyone. It does not discriminate.
This disease is out of control. Approximately 251 people die each day due to an accidental overdose. Fewer people die in Automobile accidents daily. It has no mercy. It takes over your body, mind, and soul.
A family awareness day is occasionally held in Waxahachie, Texas, or virtually online for anyone who can attend. For those who can not attend, you can join us online through our event page on Facebook. Light a candle, turn on your porch light purple, use a fire pit, light up your memorial bags, whatever you would like. We post pictures of the event and share stories.
Let’s end the stigma and stand proudly together.
We TURN THE WORLD INTO SOMETHING MAGICAL.
We will remember our angels together.
This year’s LUTW 2025 was held online through our Facebook event page on August 24th, 2025.
International Overdose Awareness Day is ~ August 31, 2025.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a stark reminder of the harm that drugs inflict on our society. It is a day to remember those who have fallen victim to overdose as well as those who have come out of the dark hole victorious with the help of loved ones, and ask whether the War on Drugs has been effective. International Overdose Awareness Day also aims to reduce the stigma attached to the issue, most of which is faced by the families of the victims. Many who are not aware of the factors behind overdose unfairly blame victims. Such an attitude only works to exacerbate the negativities surrounding the topic, suppressing any efforts to raise awareness. August 31 is the day to come out and stand in solidarity to reduce future overdose deaths.
SUPPORT MEETINGS
Our founder, Heather Gillis-Feeney, wanted the group to be connected like no other group. With the technology of Zoom and Facebook Messenger, she was able to make this happen. Heather started “Shoot the Shit” for us to come together and get to know and support each other without judgment. She did this until she couldn’t anymore. We want to keep Heather’s vision going. We now call it “Shoot the Breeze,” and we get together occasionally on Sunday evenings. 7:00 pm Eastern time, 6:00 pm Central time, 5:00 pm Mountain time, 4:00 pm Central time.
Facebook Messenger will only allow invites for up to 500 people. If anyone is interested in joining us and does not receive an initial invite, please ask to join or contact Barbara Mulligan Buffing through Facebook Messenger if you would like to participate. EVERYONE is invited.
FUNDRAISERS FOR A GREAT CAUSE
LUTW FUNDRAISER
We are a group of parents, siblings, loved ones, and friends dedicated to raising awareness on the effects of Substance Use Disorder. We bring awareness events to our communities, including Light Up The World, held in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, as well as all our loved ones we have lost to this disease. Every year, we strive to make it our best one yet, and we need your help!!! 100% of proceeds will go towards making this possible! We can’t do this without you. Any amount helps! Thank you all for your continued support!! Let’s make this amazing for our Heather! Please consider donating today. Donate Today
LUTW 2025 T-SHIRTS
We offer different options every year. The first picture shown above is of the front of the t-shirt; it is the same for all. Angel names are added to the shirt. We also offer sponsorship opportunities if you or your company would like to be a sponsor of our event. Donations start at $100. We take the following as Payment Options: Venmo or Zelle to Kathie McDonnell Rollinger
LUTW MEMORIAL BAGS
Luminary Memorial Bags for Light Up The World International Overdose Awareness Day
Honoring lives. Remembering their names. Reducing stigma.
In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day and our LUTW event, Luminary Memorial Bags are created to honor those we’ve lost to overdose, support those affected, and raise awareness around the ongoing impact of substance use. Each luminary will carry a name, message, or tribute—lighting up our space with love, remembrance, and hope. A small donation of $5 is greatly appreciated. Please contact Happi Gilmore through Facebook Messenger for further details.
HELPING HANDS TO WIN
We created this group to raise funds to help promote and educate people about substance abuse disorder and overdose awareness. All proceeds from these games will go to our nonprofit, Someone’s Child-Helping Hands, in an effort to reach our youth & community in the seriousness of this global epidemic. In addition, the proceeds will also be used to aid those families that have lost a loved one to this terrible disease, so that they know they are not alone in this nightmare. We are all Someone’s Child. **Please note, this is not a gambling site!***Let’s have some fun, win prizes, & help to end overdoses to save lives, and ensure our Angels we lost will never be forgotten. We may not be able to do great things, but we can do little things in a great way!! We will post a variety of different items for one lucky person to win . We will go live once the games are filled and donations are sent, where you can see who the winners are. We will tag the winners in a post after the live drawing. If you are the lucky winner, all you need to do is message us your address, and your item will be shipped directly to you! Thank you for your support, together, we can make a difference. Sincerely, Heather Gillis-Feeney& the Admin team Someone’s Child-Helping Hands https://www.facebook.com/groups/325675131938578
OUR ANGELS VIDEO
Visit our YouTube videos to see our angel videos: YOUTUBE:
OUR GALLERY
Someones Child- Helping Hands 