Volunteers with the Mental Health Association of Central Florida (Website) handed out over 700 Oranges to people walking by in Downtown Orlando today.
The event was part of their “Orange You Happy” campaign where they handout the citrus every fourth Friday of the month.
The focus, says Association Program Administrator Charlotte Melton, is to “change the conversation about mental health from scary statistics to a general goal of happiness.”
She points out that by encouraging smiles and providing information, if people request, you can actually save a life.
“We gather downtown on Orange Avenue and greet the community with well wishes and oranges. The goal is to brighten days and show the community that kindness can come from strangers,” she said.
The event coincidentally happened on the same day as the Creative Mornings talk about Bravery where Central Florida resident Jamie Tworkowski talked about his experience founding To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA).
TWLOHA (Website) is a non-profit group dedicated to finding help and presenting hope to those who suffer from depression. The idea began as a simple attempt to tell the story of a friend in need of treatment and soon became an internet phenomenon and global movement.
Tworkowsi shared at the event at Snap! Space how TWLOHA was started, his personal struggles and why he continues doing what he does.
Creative Mornings happen monthly with a new theme each month and are open to the public.
The message from both events was similar; a smile, a conversation or even an orange can make a huge impact in someones life.
What a neat movement!