A fundraiser in Stratford will help support a cross-country motorcycle ride geared toward shining light on the opioid crisis.

Norwalk Police Sgt. Ralfie Fonseca Jr. is part of a nonprofit effort whose mission is to broaden the public's understanding about the crisis.

"We are going to talk to as many people as we can in an effort to try and bring awareness to this tragic thing that's happening throughout the US — and ultimately the modest goal that we have is to try to save one life," said Fonseca.

Tears From Heaven says their Four Corners Ride will kick off June 1, crisscrossing the U.S. from Maine, to Florida, to California to Washington state--with support coming from motorcycle dealerships along the way.

They say Tears From Heaven is a public charity they started earlier this year specifically for this cross-country event.

Sinco Steendam says his 36-year-old son Matthew died of an overdose six years.

"He passed away with an overdose — which shut down his respiratory system — and he passed out on his pillow and that was it," said Steendam.

The group is asking for the public to attend a free advance fundraiser taking place Thursday at Nikki's Seafood Restaurant, 1 Dorne Dr., Short Beach, Stratford from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.