ROCKINGHAM — Melissa Schoonover is all too familiar with Richmond County’s overdose epidemic.
She’s lost several family members to overdose in recent years, including her stepfather and son.
In 2021, Schoonover founded the outreach group Steve’s Wings for Humanity — named in honor of her stepfather — to serve those in active addiction and who are homeless, which can often coincide.
“He didn’t have much, but he still put his heart and soul into helping others,” Schoonover said of the group’s namesake. “He understood real life struggles, and hated to see people go without.”
Steve’s Wings, a 501c3 nonprofit, is currently planning Operation Clean Up — an all-day outreach event to help the homeless — from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. April 26 at the old ball field of Place of Grace Campus in East Rockingham (former Rohanen Middle School).
While several people have committed to helping out, Schoonover says the group is still seeking volunteers to prepare and hand out food, local beauticians and barbers to donate their services, medical professionals to administer first aid as needed, and volunteers to help organize and distribute clothing.
The group is also asking for donations of the following items:
Steve’s Wings is also trying to raise $5,762 by March 26 to provide showers during the event.
“Our community needs this deeply, and I cannot thank anyone enough for all the help we have already received,” Schoonover said. “You never realize how good a hot shower makes you feel until you don’t have it. We appreciate any donations possible to help secure these showers.”
Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to call Schoonover at 910-417-8740. For monetary donations, call Kelly Nelson at 910-206-9580. For more information, see the Steve’s Wings page on Facebook.
Steve’s Wings is also planning its fifth annual Overdose Awareness Rally, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 in the old A&P parking lot on Main Street, Hamlet, starting at 5 p.m.
That event, which was previously held in downtown Rockingham, includes a candlelight vigil to remember those who have died from overdose.
The group also provides food for those in need, especially around Thanksgiving and hosted a sobriety walk last September.
Richmond County A Leader In Overdoses
For the past several years, Richmond County has had one of the highest overdose death rates in North Carolina.
These graphs show the rate and number of overdose deaths in Richmond County in recent years.
Source: NCDHHS
Records from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services show the county had an estimated overdose death rate of 92.8 per 100,000 —nearly three times the state average of 38.7 — in 2023, with 39 deaths. That was the second-highest in the state.
Swain County, in the mountains, had a rate of 117.6 (16 deaths) and nearby Robeson County had the third-highest at 91.1 (107 deaths).
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Richmond County has had one of the highest fentanyl-involved death rates in the state. Click here to read the latest statistics as of this writing.
Emergency room visits for overdose increased dramatically from 78 (the second-lowest number since 2016) in 2018 peaking at 224 in 2023. Records show that figure dropped to 152 in 2024, giving Richmond County the second-highest rate in the state (359.1) behind Scotland County with a rate of 360.7.
In contrast to the overdose statistics, the number of children in foster care due to parental substance abuse has decreased from 52 in 2021 to 46 in 2023 — among one of the lowest rates in the state.
