Across Burlington County, families and friends remembered loved ones who passed away from drug overdoses.

WESTAMPTON — Over 130 names were read across the county on Friday and many tears were shed as families and friends gathered to remember their loved ones who had passed away from a drug overdose.

“A lot of you out there have lost somebody,” said Riverside police Lt. Lou Fisher, speaking in the township at one of two vigils in the county held Friday evening. “It leaves you empty, it leaves you hurting ... there’s no worse pain.”

The vigils — including one in Medford organized by the Adam O’Brien Foundation — featured speakers, candlelight vigils and calls to help those still alive, but still struggling.

The Westampton vigil was hosted by organizations such as Prevention Plus of Burlington County, NJTIP, King’s Crusade, Shouting4Shelby, Parent 2 Parent, Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, the Kenny Smith Freedom Foundation and the AJ Butz Foundation.

Families shared stories of their loved ones at both events, while local nonprofits offered resources to those in need. The events were specifically held on Aug. 31, known globally as International Overdose Awareness Day.

Evesham resident Suzanne Harrison — who founded a nonprofit with her sister Anne Gutos to help those struggling with addiction after losing their brother King to an overdose in 2016 — wore a shirt that read “In my heart, you remain” with a picture of her brother’s face.

“It’s not just lives lost,” she said. “It’s also about the people that overdosed and survived.”

The theme of trying to find hope despite the darkness of loss was prevalent throughout the Westampton vigil.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina held a candle during his speech, telling the more than 150 in attendance that it stood for a spark to motivate them to continue their fight against addiction.

“I am more convinced than ever this is the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Coffina pointed out different programs, organizations and initiatives that didn’t exist just a few years ago, including his own Straight to Treatment program and the growth of local nonprofits providing funding for sober living and treatment.

“This light can also be a sign of hope,” he said pointing to the candle in his hand.

Eric Gremminger, the chief operating officer of The Sanctuary treatment center in Cherry Hill and founder of the “Everlasting Recovery” program, said he was there as a person in recovery to show that lives can be changed if a person has support.

“When we join together and we lock arms, we make a difference,” he said.

Stephen Kavalkovich, of Evesham, who is in recovery, said he was one of the lucky ones.

“I shouldn’t be here,” he said, citing his history with addiction and multiple overdoses.

There were many tears as the names of those who had passed were read and their pictures were displayed. As of Aug. 26, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office estimated that 102 lives have been lost in Burlington County this year. That’s on top of 83 that died in 2016 and more than 130 in 2017, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Nicole Butz, of the AJ Butz Foundation, read a poem that her brother wrote while he was in prison. He died in August 2012, just days after being released.

“Please hear me cry for help,” she read. “Please help me save myself.”

Kavalkovich, who was there to read the story of Shelby Katilus, of Lumberton — the inspiration behind Shouting4Shelby — also told the story of someone who couldn’t overcome the power of their addiction.

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