Norwich - The Norwich Youth and Family Services/Norwich Prevention Council is hosting a quilting event on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rose City Senior Center as part of a statewide effort to create a Remembrance Quilt for victims of substance abuse.

Meals, support, materials and quilters will be available to help families create and assemble their individual quilt squares, which will be sent to be assembled into large quilt panels memorializing loved ones who have died from opioid or substance addiction.

Family members of overdose victims are being invited to participate to help raise awareness around substance use disorders by permanently memorializing their loved one with a quilt square.

Anyone with sewing experience who wants to begin a quilt square before the event can call to receive materials and instructions. Quilting volunteers will be on hand to assist those with no quilting experience.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon have launched the creation of a Remembrance Quilt to honor loved ones who have died from substance use disorders, or addiction.

The squares will be joined together by quilting guilds who have volunteered their time and talent. The quilts will be displayed across the state.

“A substance use disorder is a disease that can affect people of all ages, races and walks of life. The Remembrance Quilt is an opportunity for loved ones to pay tribute to those they have lost, while raising awareness about a devastating consequence of addiction,” said Delphin-Rittmon. “Our wish is that this quilt will help bring people and communities together. It will send a message that no one is alone, letting those who are actively using know that they are loved, that recovery is possible and that help is available.”