A local foundation aims to curb the opioid crisis

SOUTH BEND, Ind – The 525 Foundation held its annual gala on Thursday to bring awareness and help change the opioid crisis. 

“We are here to remember Nick and Jack and the thousands of others who unknowingly dying at hands of prescription drugs,” 525 Foundation gala emcee Maureen McFadden said. 

The foundation was formed in 2016 a year after Mike and Becky Savage lost their sons due to opioid use at a graduation party. 

525 Foundation Co-founder Becky Savage explained the tragic events. 

“The 525 foundation started about three years ago, it was about a year after we lost our sons from prescription drug misuse they were at a graduation party where they decided to participate in experimentation of prescription medication about a year later we thought you know what we should take their story and use their story to help other people so that this doesn’t happen to somebody else,” Savage said. 

There were over 300 people in attendance at Thursday’s gala.

Former NFL Quarterback Terry Bradshaw attended and explained how he heard about the foundation and its message to children. 

“It’s a message that has to be told and it has to be told and told and told we have to constantly remind our children of the danger of drugs,” Bradshaw said. 

One of the foundations efforts is putting drug drop-off boxes in elect Martin’s to help get prescription pills off the streets

“525 makes, I think it should make everyone realize that the opioid epidemic attacks everyone in our community,” St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter said. 

According to event organizers Thursday’s gala raised approximately $80,000 to help fight for change to the opioid crisis