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Our team (The Slowstars) participates in Shatterproof Walk in honor of my twin brother Rob, who we lost nearly 10 years ago. It's been cathartic for our whole family to feel the support and love of the Shatterproof community, and to know that the money we raise for Shatterproof goes directly to help others who are suffering from substance use disorders. In this way, Rob continues to touch so many people in a positive way, just as he did during his remarkable life.

We are participating in honor of our son, Tommy McClenahan. After he died of an accidental drug overdose, we very quickly formed Team Tommy as a way to educate our community and our school district, bring awareness to the issue of substance use disorder and fight the stigma surrounding SUD so that people can get the researched based treatment that they deserve. Shortly thereafter we found Shatterproof. We are so proud to be partnering with them and their mission to do the same and then some! In 2018 we attended our first Shatterproof walk with some friends, family and the 4th and 5th grade running club at my school. It's hard to put into words what the atmosphere feels like at one of these events. The speakers and everyone in attendance were so inspiring that our 5th graders did their end of year exhibition project on the stigma of addiction. The walks have turned into a huge community event that is looked forward to and heavily attended by our team in green!

My team #Mattyloudstrong is participating in the Shatterproof walk in honor and memory of my son Matthew who we tragically lost on 11/3/20 to fentanyl poisoning at the tender age of 21. When I think about why we participate in this walk a couple of things come to mind. First, it is a way to help others in their fight against Substance Use Disorder. 2nd, we do this to honor and memorialize Matthew. 3rd, it is a way to connect with others that are doing this for their loved ones and to share our heartbreaks and success stories. Although Matthew was only here for 21 short years, he left quite the legacy behind and he will never be forgotten. Matthew was an incredible son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. Those that knew him, loved him and he loved them back fiercely.

I started volunteering with Shatterproof after my brother, Ryan, passed away April 10th 2021 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at the age of 35. I wanted to find some way to help those like Ryan who are still here struggling to find the treatment and support they need to save their life. While helping others, I also wanted to somehow continue to carry his memory on and keep his name alive. Participating in the Shatterproof walk helps me achieve those goals of helping others who are in need while also carrying on Ryans memory. The one thing I like most about Shatterproof and their mission is that they are focusing on breaking the stigma. That is such a big part of mental health and substance use disorders and I am so proud to be a part of an organization that is helping change this.