SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Brown’s family, friends turning tragedy into service

By Charles Kim, Managing Editor
The family and friends of a Kendall Park man that died of a heroin overdose in January want to turn that tragedy into an annual community event to fight addictions.
Sept. 13 will mark the first annual Kevin Brown Memorial 5K Run and Picnic at Woodlot Park.
"When my brother Kevin, who was 24, died of a heroin overdose in January, we (family and friends) got together and wanted to do something to remember him," older sister Allison Brown, 29, said last week. "So we decided to do an event to remember my brother and raise awareness (about addictions)."
A brainstorming session led to an event featuring both a 5K run and a picnic that is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Woodlot Park on New Road. The rain date will be Sept. 14, Ms. Brown said.
The event will feature a 5K cross-country trail, face painting, airbrush tattoos, a dunk tank, beach volleyball, a DJ, photo booth, and more, she said.
All proceeds will go to the National Council on Drug and Alcohol Dependency, she said.
"My brother was an average young adult," Ms. Brown said.
She said he grew up in Kendall Park, played soccer in youth leagues and eventually for South Brunswick High School.
He went to Rider University in Lawrence to study business administration, graduating with honors in 2010.
He worked as an accountant at Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield for three years, and had recently received a promotion at work before he died on Jan. 4.
"He had a large circle of friends, a good job and was successful," Ms. Brown said. "anybody can make the wrong choice."
Ms. Brown said that Kevin had admitted using drugs a couple of years before his death, but had gotten help for his problem.
"You see it more and more with young adults," friend Nicole Van Hessen, 25, said. "It’s an opiate epidemic, but people are finally talking about it."
Ms. Van Hessen said that the group of about four people made sure that all parties involved were comfortable with the idea to hold an event that would raise awareness to the problem.
"This isn’t happening to the stereotypical (addict) that it was many years ago," Ms. Van Hessen said. "It is happening in South Brunswick," Ms. Brown said. "These are nice kids, they are educated about (drugs). My brother had a support system, but that didn’t stop him."
Ms. Brown said that her brother, despite his successes, always felt he was letting people down.
"It was not the way others viewed or treated him," she said. "It was just how he viewed himself." The event, which both women hope becomes an annual happening in the township is meant to not only celebrate Kevin’s short life, but to reach out to others and maybe prevent a future tragedy like this.
Ms. Brown said that the community has reacted positively to the idea of the event. Pre-registration is $35 per adult and $15 per child. The day of the event will be $40 per adult and $20 per child, Ms. Brown said.
More information and registration can be found on the www.eventbrite.com website and then by searching for the Kevin Brown Memorial 5K.