Over 100 names and faces of individuals affected by the opioid crisis, including children as young as three, have been etched into purple rocks for a heartfelt new memorial in Long Island.
At the Suffolk County Environmental Center in Islip, the ceremony saw grieving parents and organizers placing vibrantly painted stones one by one beneath an angel tree while reading names aloud. The poignant event was streamed live on Facebook.
“To some, seeing a face and name on a purple rock might not resonate,” said Carol Trotter, an activist and founder of the Purple Rock Project.
However, for those who have endured the loss of a child, she expressed that it brings comfort knowing their loved one’s name and face are acknowledged and remembered. Trotter herself lost her son Alex to fentanyl poisoning in 2018.
The event honored victims aged 3 to 50 from more than 30 states. Paulette Phillip, who established the angel trees in 2021 following her grandson Gabriel’s death at 15, emphasized their significance. “They’re not merely rocks or images; they represent people who mean the world to us,” she explained.
Philippe runs Gabriel’s Giving Tree, and she mentioned how Trotter reached out earlier this year about using the tree as a foundation for the Purple Rock Project.
“This tree illustrates the way we cope with our grief, fulfill a purpose, and let new life flourish from that loss every year,” she reflected, gently touching the tree’s branches. “It symbolizes the addition of new life.”
“This tree continues to grow and blossom, towering higher as it provides us with support, embodying a cycle of life and love.”
Following the Facebook event, numerous heartfelt messages came in from families expressing their gratitude for the group’s efforts. “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” Nikki Correia added in her message.
