Dayspring Village's 34th Annual Secret Santa

My name is Douglas Adkins; I am the Administrator at Dayspring Village, a state-licensed limited mental health assisted living facility in Hilliard, Florida. I am reaching out to our community to help raise funds to support the 34th annual Secret Santa Program.

I have cared for over 4,000 adults with serious mental illness at our facility over the last 35 years. What I know is this;

1. Approximately 25% of adults with Schizophrenia will attempt to commit suicide during the course of illness, and about 10% will be successful.

2. For People with Schizophrenia, life expectancy is between 58-64 yrs in the USA.

What I know to be true is that when you can change someone's reality on Christmas Day and they are confronted with gifts and love on that special morning, you create a Christmas memory that cannot be undone. So why is this important, you might ask?

During the year, when someone is struggling with depression or questioning the value of their lives, it is impossible to dismiss what happened at Christmas, and I am able to remind them that, indeed, their lives matter and someone does love them, as evidenced by the unconditional love shown to them on Christmas Day.

This does work and helps create a positive outlook for these Americans who struggle with a terrible, no-fault brain illness. I hope you will take a few minutes and donate; our volunteers will help shop and wrap the gifts in time for Christmas Day. God Bless you, and Merry Christmas.