WEST SPRINGFIELD – Through unimaginable tragedy comes the story of a father’s drive to make a difference regarding a nationwide epidemic too many do not know enough about. Jack Jonah was 19 years old. He was an artist, a musician, he had written a play, was a volunteer at Dakin Humane Society and had dreams of becoming a veterinarian, as he was studying biology at Holyoke Community College; he had a life full of promise ahead of him. On April 6, 2016, Jack passed away from an accidental overdose.  

Jack’s death came as a complete surprise to his family who were unaware he was using illegal substances.

“We were in complete shock, it was so unexpected,” commented Kirk Jonah, Jack’s father.

After Jack’s death Kirk had a difficult time sleeping as he struggled to come to terms with the death of his son, how wide spread the opioid epidemic is and how many families are suffering like theirs. Through these sleepless nights, Kirk realized what he needed to do to find some peace; he wanted to create a foundation with his family in Jack’s honor.

In December of 2018, The Jack Jonah Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, was created. Kirk shared with Reminder Publishing that the foundation has many missions they work to achieve. These missions are:
•Educating young adults of the opioid crisis by sharing the stories of survivors or people who are currently fighting the battle on how they became addicts.
•To honor those whose lives have been lost due to an overdose.
•To support post addiction centers.

Kirk had begun to speak publically sharing Jack’s story before the foundation was created. He attends public middle schools and high schools educating students of how widespread this crisis is, yearly death tolls due to overdoses and also sharing the stories of people who are currently battling addiction. Through these assemblies, Kirk’s goal is to show students at an impressionable age that the opioid epidemic is real and is happening all around them.

“Unfortunately, this is the world we live in now,” Kirk remarked, “Kid’s these days don’t have the freedom to make stupid mistakes, mistakes like these can cost you your life.”

Kirk wanted to move forward with the foundation so he sat down with his family seeking  a way to continue to spread awareness in a way that Jack would have loved. The Jonah family came to the decision to hold a 5K walk around Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke. Ashley Reservoir was a common place the Jonah family would go for family outings whether it was for a walk, a bike ride or a picnic – they have many dear memories with Jack there.

The walk will take place on May 4 at 11 a.m. Before the walk begins, Hampden County Sheriff, Nick Cocchi along with Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni will in attendance as guest speakers. To follow in pattern with the mission of The Jack Jonah Foundation, the purpose of the walk will be to educate, honor, provide support and raise money for the foundation itself and for addiction centers.
Throughout the course of the walk at different stopping points, statistics about the opioid crisis will be posted for attendees to read and learn about. At other stopping points, there will be photos of those who have lost their lives due to overdose.

By participating in the walk or making a donation, it will not only help the Jonah family to continue to spread awareness with the foundation but it will also help to raise money for the West Springfield CARE Coalition and the Mercy Medical Center Post Addiction Center.

After the walk, there will be a picnic with grilled food and a raffle with a chance to win prizes.

To register for Jack’s Walk, registration forms can be found on their website, www.jackjonahfoundation.com. They will also be allowing registration the day of as well. For more information on the walk or to ask any questions visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/JackJonahFoundation/.