The Stewart Marchman-Act Foundation is launching the Bouquets of Hope & Classic Chocolates fundraiser to support mental health awareness in the community.
“This is our third year being able to offer these bouquets and chocolates,” said Carolyn Sentelik, Stewart Marchman-Act Foundation Executive Director. “We personally deliver them and derive so much joy from the recipients, it’s truly amazing.” The Foundation partners with local businesses, Flamingo Florist and Angell & Phelps. New this year, the Foundation is partnering with the Miss Florida United States Pageant. Pageant participants will be assisting with the hand deliveries.
Bouquets and chocolates can be ordered via http://www.smafoundation.com/jays-hope-bouquet-order-form/ or by calling 386- 254-1136 and will be hand delivered on Saturday, November 21st, or Monday, November 23rd to anyone that orders in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. The Angell & Phelps chocolates are also available for national delivery in 7-10 days. Order deadline is November 16th.
Profits from sales of the bouquets go to the Jay’s Hope Fund, which supports mental health education, advocacy and services. To learn more about Jay’s Hope and its most recent project, ‘Who is Jay?’ visit www.whoisjay.org
Jay Carter Ashby, was the third child of Hank and Susan Ashby. He was adored by his family and usually found running on the soccer field, dribbling a basketball, sketching caricatures or locating a new fishing spot. A good student, talented athlete, and gifted musician, Jay was in his late teens when things began to change… and life would never be the same for him, or our family. At an age when most are preparing for their careers, Jay developed a schizophrenia-related disorder. The depression, delusions and stigma would not release Jay from their grip, and eventually he gave up on life. Just what does a grieving parent do to cope with such a loss? Jay had expressed his hopes: to have a place to live, to have a job, to contribute to society. If he had only had the appropriate care in time to give him a chance… And so Jay’s Hope was born as a way to bring hope to other sufferers of serious mental illnesses, and their families.
In May 2015, the Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation and SMA Behavioral launched “Who is Jay?” as their mental health month awareness campaign. The campaign’s main focus was providing a website that offered hope, and educational materials and resources regarding mental illness. In just over a month the site was visited over 6,000 times…that is over 6,000 people reached with the message of Jay Ashby.
Partners in the community included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Volusia County Schools and Halifax Health.
