MARLBOROUGH – Cheryl Juaire likes her new specialty license plate.
She likes the design and the colors, but most of all, she likes the cause – overdose awareness.
She hopes that at least 750 people will like – and order – the new plate, so that the Registry of Motor Vehicles can officially begin to distribute it.
“I’m excited to get this off the ground,” said Juaire.
Juaire is the co-founder of Team Sharing Inc., an organization of parents who have lost a child to substance abuse disorder.
In 2011, her son, Corey Merrill, died of an overdose at the age of 23. At first, her family grieved alone. Then she received an invitation to meet other mothers who had lost a child from an overdose.
In 2015, she founded Team Sharing – MA, a support group within Massachusetts where parents meet and support one another. Juaire has since started chapters in 25 other states, including the national chapter of Team Sharing.
Best known for the annual 5K road race held every Mothers Day weekend, Juaire began exploring the possibility of a specialty license plate in February 2021 with her son, Sean Merrill.
A few months after starting this project, Sean Merrill lost his own battle with addiction in June 2021 at the age of 42.
“I am not giving up,” said Juaire. “This is for him.”
“We’ll be the first in the country with this kind of license plate,” she added.
There’s a catch, though – before the registry begins issuing the specialty plate, it wants at least 750 people to purchase it. Finding those people is the responsibility of Team Sharing.
“We’re doing all the work up front,” she said.
The specialty plates cost $40 each, and they are good for two years.
Once that 750-person threshold is reached, and the registry begins distributing the specialty plates with all proceeds will go to Team Sharing.
“Every penny goes toward helping someone,” said Juaire.
Those interested in supporting Team Sharing, and the families they support, visit https://www.teamsharinginc.org/overdose-awareness-ma-specialty-plates/.
Donation, fundraiser
In July, Team Sharing Inc. received a $25,000 grant from Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts.
“They found me,” said Juaire.
Team Sharing is also planning a coat drive for children, and it will hold its annual 5K on May 11, 2024, at the Moose Lodge.
For information on resources and events, visit https://www.teamsharinginc.org/.
The Chick-fil-A locations at 36 Apex Drive in Marlborough and 286 Turnpike Road in Westborough will participate in an Overdose Awareness event on Thursday, Aug. 31.
Mention “Spirit Night” when placing an order, and a portion of the bill will go to Team Sharing.
