September is National Recovery Month, the world’s annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have passed and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind, while ending the stigma that comes along with it.
The Vanderbilt family has been greatly impacted by the effects of the opioid crisis as one of our most beloved advisors, John Brower, lost his son to opiate addiction at the age of 25. In 2015, Steve Distante, Chairman & Founder of VFG, along with John and his wife Jody established the Heroes Against Heroin Annual 5k Walk and the John Brower Jr. Foundation, in memory of John and Jody's son John Jr. Determined to turn his passing into a positive force for change, John and Jody founded the John Brower Jr. Foundation in order to help raise awareness for young adults to overcome drug dependency and re-discover life before it is too late, help create awareness about the opioid epidemic and provide help for those who do not have the means to help themselves.
Opioids are among the deadliest and most widely used and abused drugs in the United States. According to the United States Center for Disease Control. The 79,770 reported opioid-involved drug overdose deaths in 2022 are near record highs and equates to roughly 219 deaths a day. Opioids are not a “hobbyist” drug, tragically, youth curiosity often leads to experimentation, addiction, and death.
Vanderbilt Financial Group is proud to support the John Brower Jr. Foundation on its 8th Annual Heroes Against Heroin 5K Walk. This walk will help bring awareness to the opioid crisis, while also bringing in the necessary funds to help those affected by it.
The John Brower Jr. Foundation has combined its efforts with Outreach to help provide life-changing drug and alcohol abuse treatment services. All donations will be going to this organization whose focus is in line with the mission of the John Brower Jr. Foundation. Outreach, along with the John Brower Jr. Foundation, wants to shed light on the current issues being faced every day while inspiring individuals and their families to achieve lives of awareness and unlimited potential.
The day's events will also include refreshments, raffles and giveaways, with proceeds going to support the foundation. If you would like to find out more about the foundation or would like to participate or make a donation, please click the links below.
John Brower Jr. Foundation Website
