SPECO Leads Cabell County’s Save A Life Day 2025

“We did it,” were the first words from Cabell County Organizer, Erin Dalton, when this year’s Save A Life Day came to a close. And for good reason: Cabell County set a new record, 1,380 naloxone kits distributed in one day, putting 2,760 life-saving doses directly into our community.

A Grassroots Effort with a Big Impact

Save A Life Day is about more than just numbers; it’s about people helping people. Under the leadership of SPECO (St. Peter’s Episcopal Community Outreach) and Erin Dalton, this year’s event once again showed what can happen when grassroots organizations, volunteers, and local partners come together to care for their neighbors.

From the heart of Huntington to Milton, volunteers fanned out across the county with compassion, training, and naloxone in hand. And for anyone who caught the evening news, there was an extra reason to cheer. Jeremy Bailey brought naloxone training right to live television, demonstrating just how easy it is to save a life.

Media and Memories

Photographer Justin Murphy, of Out of the Attic Photography, joined us for his third year capturing the day’s moments. His photos highlight the energy, heart, and humanity behind Save A Life Day, documenting new distribution sites, familiar faces, and even “Recovery Randy” making an appearance in Milton. His images will help our partners continue sharing the message year-round: Naloxone saves lives.

Countywide Collaboration

Each site brought something unique to the table, creating a net of connection and care that stretched across Cabell County:

• United Way of the River Cities (UWRC) – Consistent and reliable, this team has supported Save A Life Day from the start, connecting volunteers and partners behind the scenes.
• Huntington Comprehensive Treatment Center – Always a powerhouse, HCTC distributed an impressive 266 kits, setting the pace for everyone else.
• Harmony House – Bringing resources to those who need them most, they continue to make outreach personal and effective.
• The Point Café – Offering community and recovery support year round, distributed 27 kits.
• Cabell County Health Department – Turned the day into a true community event with haircuts, hotdogs, and HIV testing—an all-around celebration of care.
• First Steps – Peers being incredibly impactful by providing support and space.
• The Market – A vibrant downtown presence, matching last year’s energy and then some with 36 kits distributed.
• Ameritas College – Students and staff stepped up in a big way, doubling their distribution from last year and sparking vital conversations about harm reduction.
• Huntington City Mission – A steadfast partner, reaching dozens of individuals who may otherwise have limited access to life-saving tools.
• HAWC (Huntington Addiction Wellness Center) – Came back strong this year with 179 kits, thanks to Chase Statler and an incredible volunteer team who brought energy and heart.
• Marshall University Student Center – Broke their own record with 240 kits distributed, showing that the next generation of leaders is deeply invested in saving lives.
• QRT/Cabell County EMS – The frontline heroes, combining outreach and emergency response expertise to ensure every interaction counts.
• Valley Health Highlawn – In their first year as a Save A Life site, the team literally danced on the sidewalk while distributing kits—spreading joy along with education.
• Living Water Free Methodist Church – Faith in action! This congregation continues to reach people with love, dignity, and life-saving resources.
• Harmony Ridge – Another consistent supporter, ensuring that rural areas and families outside the downtown core aren’t forgotten.
• New Heights Baptist Church – With 108 kits distributed, this church proved once again that small congregations can make a huge impact.
• PROACT – A trusted partner, continuing to bridge the gap between recovery services and harm reduction.

Altogether, these 17 sites made it possible for 1,380 kits, that’s 2,760 doses of naloxone, to find their way into Cabell County neighborhoods in just one day.

Heart of the Community

Reflecting on the day, Erin said it best:

“It meant the world to me to see those first two words on the newspaper headline the next day—because we know who makes this work happen: grassroots organizations and individuals who never give up on caring for each other.”

At SPECO, we couldn’t agree more. We’re proud to be part of a county that refuses to look away, that believes every life is worth saving, and that shows up—again and again—to prove it.

Thank you to every volunteer, partner, and organization who helped make Save A Life Day 2025 a success. Together, we’re building a stronger, safer, more compassionate Cabell County.