Lori Masonia is no stranger to the effects of addiction, and on Saturday, she hopes to help others who have been affected, too.

Masonia is the founder of the Ride With Me Street Ministry, a Christian initiative that aims to bring God to homeless or addicted individuals.

“These are the people who often won’t go to church because they feel so judged and unwelcome, so we take Jesus to them,” she said.

Masonia said she often had a vision of an event called “Praise in the Park,” but it took multiple surgeries and a cancer scare to motivate her into making the vision a reality. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, more than 30 vendors and speakers will gather at Robert Allen Tinnon Park in Athens with those affected by addiction or homelessness to share gospel and resources.

“My hope in this is that people will be delivered and saved, but also to let our officials see the turnout and the number of people affected by addiction,” Masonia said. “So many people don’t see it as a problem, and it really is.”

The event itinerary starts with a free hot dog lunch that includes chips and drinks. There will be speakers and presentations throughout the event, including an afternoon sermon from a local pastor.

“We have places with information on mental health, and churches as far away as Muscle Shoals. Anyone that has to do with addiction resources or lifting up the name of God can set up a table for free,” Masonia said, emphasizing there would be “nothing political” at the event.

Masonia said they plan to have a large birthday cake to honor the birthdays missed by a family member who was in jail or rehab. There would also be an opportunity for people to write the name or initials of someone they know who has been affected by addiction as part of a “wall of hope.”

“You put their initial, name, whatever, on that little wood, and add it to the wall. At the end (of the day), it will be set on fire and sent up to the heavens,” Masonia said.

Ride With Me Street Ministry will also give away a $500 scholarship in memory of Cameron Richardson, a man who was walking home last year from a store on U.S. 72 when a car struck him. Masonia said he was one of the first people she met after creating the ministry.

“It devastated me,” she said. “… Something I hope to do every year is give a scholarship to help people who are trying to help people in the streets.”

Donation jars will be set up around the event for those who wish to contribute to the scholarship fund.

For more information on the event or Ride With Me Street Ministry, Masonia can be reached at 256-374-3202.