Cheryl Oakes Sutton, in collaboration with local recovery, advocacy, & harm reduction groups, is planning a visual recognition for the upcoming International Overdose Awareness Day event being hosted by Handcuffs to Hope on August 31 at Volunteer Landing in Knoxville.
Sutton is organizing a community shoe collection representing the 307 lives lost to overdose in our area during 2025. Each pair of shoes symbolizes a real person — someone deeply loved and deeply missed.
The public is requested to donate gently used shoes at any of the following drop-off locations.
Saturdays: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- 5/30 – Powell Station Park: 1145 Dry Gap Pike
- 6/13 – John Tarleton Park: 3207 Division St
Thursdays: 6 pm – 7 pm
- 6/4 – Gibbs Ruritan Park: 7827 Tazewell Pk
- 6/11 – New Harvest Park: 4775 New Harvest Ln
- 6/18 – Clayton Park (Halls): 7347 Norris Fwy
- 6/25 – French Memorial Park: 7752 Martin Mill Pk
The shows will serve as placeholders for the 307 lives lost to drug overdose in 2025. After the event, all the shoes will be donated to Care Cuts for distribution to the unhoused.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter. Comments may be sent to news@knoxtntoday.com.
