Wicomico County will “Go Purple” in September, with events planned to draw awareness to the substance abuse crisis in the community.

Wicomico Goes Purple will kick off at this Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Delmarva Shorebirds game at Shorebirds Stadium. Aug. 31 is Overdose Awareness Day and Hudson Health Services will sponsor the post-game fireworks for this kickoff event.

Other events are scheduled in September:

• The Clarion Call Restoration Ministries 5k Go Puple Run/Walk is planned for Saturday, Sept. 7, from 7:30 a.m. to noon at WinterPlace Park. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $20 for under 18 for the 5k, and $20 for the one-mile Prayer Walk. Call Crystal at 443-880-4332 or Liz at 410-353-7740 for more information.

• On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the inaugural Wicomico Goes Purple Boat Parade at Brew River from 6 to 8 p.m.

• A faith-based Night of Hope will be held Friday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. In Case of rain, it will move to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church just off the Downtown Plaza.

• Wicomico County Health Officer Lori Brewster will be the featured speaker at the Thursday, Sept. 19, General Membership Luncheon. She will provide an update on progress being made locally to lower the overdose rates in our community, among other initiatives.

• On Friday, Sept. 27, the fifth annual Lighting Up Recovery Breakfast hosted by Recovery Resource Center will be held starting at 6:30 a.m. at Dove Pointe. Recovering Angel Awards will be presented to Col. Robert W Cook and Hudson Health Services Contact Recovery Resource Center. Call 410-749-9472 for tickets which are $35 each

The Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Wicomico County Opioid Intervention Team, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore have launched Wicomico Goes Purple -- an initiative is to encourage conversations around the dangers of substance abuse and encourage both our community and our young citizens to take a stand against this epidemic.

Additionally, Wicomico Goes Purple will recognize the accomplishments of individuals currently in recovery and to promote all available recovery services.

The Chamber and its partners ask that the business and organizational community step up and “Go Purple” in the month of September, which is National Recovery Month.

Some of the ways to join in include:

• Sponsor Wicomico Goes Purple. Sponsorship will assist with providing wristbands, T-shirts, banners and items to promote awareness in our community.

• Go Purple with office and storefront decorations, including purple lighting.

• Hand out brochures to employees, customers and clients to promote awareness of treatment resources in our region.

The opioid crisis has impacted many in the county and ravaged families, businesses and the community.

For more information, visit wicomicogoespurple.com.