Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation Launches Bouquets of Hope Campaign for Thanksgiving

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nov. 8, 2016 - PRLog -- The Stewart Marchman-Act (SMA) Foundation is pleased to announce that they have launched their Bouquets of Hope fundraiser to support mental health awareness in our community.

"This is our fourth year being able to offer these bouquets," said Jennifer Secor, Stewart Marchman-Act Foundation Executive Director. "It's my first year participating so I'm looking forward to helping personally delivering the bouquets," she added. The Foundation partners with local business Flamingo Florist.

Bouquets 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 19, or Monday, November 21 to anyone that orders in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. Order deadline is November 16^th.

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?' visitwww.whoisjay.org.

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Who is Jay?

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.

About Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation

Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation was founded by Jim Foster at the request of Hal Marchman in 1997. The volunteer board of directors is comprised of leading professionals, business leaders, and citizens from the Volusia/Flagler area. The Foundation's sole mission is to build resources, public awareness, and research to support the programs of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare, the leading non-profit behavioral healthcare organization in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation and is eligible for tax-exempt contributions by the US Internal Revenue Service. They accept cash donations, stocks and securities, as well as land and property. They can be found online at http://www.smafoundation.com or reached via telephone at 386-254-1136.