Putting up crosses that symbolize overdose deaths in Butler County last year are, from left, Jane Youngblood, Carl Bromley, Pastor Mark Wallace, Pastor John Pistorius and Carolyn Hillwig. The display represents Sunday's event at Chicora Park that will offer drug prevention and recovery strategies.

Churches in Chicora, Karns City and East Brady are collaborating for a cause.

Community Family Fun Day “With a Purpose” will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Chicora Park on Route 68.

The Rev. John Pistorius, pastor of St. John's Reformed Church in Chicora and president of the Petroleum Valley Ministerium, said the event has been in the works for more than a year.

“Pastor Mark Wallace, Pastor Jim Lewis and I formed a committee with a number of church members in May 2017.

“The vision for this grew in 2016 out of two Walks of Hope and the showing of the movie 'An Appalachian Dawn' which tells the story of churches in Kentucky uniting against addiction,” Pistorius said.

The pastors had seen the consequences of drugs and addiction in their communities and in their congregations.

“Too many lives are being lost. Too many funerals are for those who died from addiction. We believe we must meet the needs of the community of people who are suffering as a result of addiction and the loss of life,” said Pistorius.

The group erected a field of crosses as part of its awareness campaign. The 74 crosses represent the 74 lives known to be lost to drug addiction in Butler County in 2016.

“The T-shirts which were placed on the crosses Monday morning tell the story of a life lost by stating the gender and the date of death,” said Wallace. The concept came from a church in Evans City.

“People in our community need to understand the epidemic we are facing,” Wallace added.

Wallace had prayed about the drug problem but the reality of the epidemic hit home with a phone call.

“One evening my phone rang and it was one of my guys, Rich, crying and telling me that his nephew overdosed on heroin and was dead. He also asked me to do the funeral. It struck me then that this was not just a Butler problem, it was our problem,” Wallace said.

Wallace knew he had to do something to make a difference in the lives of his neighbors.

The theme for the day is prevention and recovery. “We see the need for prevention and education on the signs of addiction and the recovery options available,” Pistorius said.

“One planned outcome of this event is to instill hope for recovery and to acknowledge and comfort those who have lost loved ones to addiction as well,” he added.

While most of the events that day are free, there will be opportunities to contribute.

“Monetary donations are welcome. A bake sale is scheduled to help defray the costs of this event and future events like it. All donations will be used to cover the expenses of future events,” Pistorius said.

While many wonder how to combat the drug epidemic, Pistorius has a unique perspective on the battle and his weapon of choice is prayer.

“This is a spiritual battle and I believe the people of faith have a duty to unite in the battle. We hold Community Concerts of Prayer in and around Butler and prayer walks in downtown Butler each month. We need people of faith to unite on this critical front,” he said.

Sunday's event is free and open to the public and will feature food, games, a bounce house and slide, an obstacle course, a free auction and music.

Speakers at the event include: Shawn May of Teen Challenge, Jason Beckwith of Action in Recovery, Jamie McKinley-Christy and Mark Pfeffer from the Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force, and Linda Franiewski with the Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center.

<h3>If Your're Going</h3>WHAT: Community Family Fun Day “With a Purpose”WHEN: 2 to 9 p.m. SundayWHERE: Chicora Park, Route 68INFO: For more information on this free event, call 724-445-3220 or 724-445-3540<h3>Event Sponsors</h3>- The Rev. John Pistorius, pastor of St. John’s Reformed Church in Chicora and president, Petroleum Valley Ministerium.334 W. Slippery Rock St., Chicora 724-445-3540 pastorjohn_p@yahoo.com- Pastor Mark Wallace, Chicora Alliance Church, 310 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora 724-445-3220- Pastor Jim Lewis, Karns City and Chicora United Methodist churches, 117 Petrolia St., Karns City, 724-756-6440- Pastor Floyd Barnhart, Faith Community United Methodist Church,143 Main Street, Bruin, 724-445-2229- Pastor Joe Boomhower, Holy Trinity Lutheran, 2217 Chicora Road, Chicora 724-445-3574- Pastor Mark Hillwig, East Brady Baptist Church, 508 Kellys Way, East Brady 724-526-5475- Pastor Joe Olkowski, Zion of Petroleum Valley,1392 Kittanning Pike, Karns City 724-445-2814