‘Stand Up’ Addiction Awareness Rally- Jacksonville 2014

Sober Living America’s First Annual ‘Stand Up’ Addiction Awareness Rally

On Saturday, October 4th Sober Living America held it’s first ‘Stand Up’ Addiction Awareness event at SeaWalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.  Nearly 50 neighboring businesses, shops and restaurants acted as sponsors to support our cause and to join us in rallying the community together to promote addiction awareness. This event signaled the official launch of our Friends Care Campaign– an educational initiative that focuses on the One in 12 concept.

Communities all over the country have seen a growing number of teenagers and young adults struggling with addiction.  Our educational program aims to introduce the ‘One in 12’ idea to students- the fact that one in twelve individuals who drinks or takes pills will lose control.

At the event, we distributed educational packets to individuals on the signs and symptoms of addiction in themselves and others, and provided self-assessment tools to help recognize these actions. We call our program the ‘Friends Care Campaign‘ because our focus is on teenagers and young adults who may know someone currently struggling with these issues. We want to empower them to reach out to their friends in need- and be a support system for them in this time of need.

Our ‘Stand Up’ event began with a 5k race on beautiful Jacksonville Beach. We want to congratulate Sean Steele, Greg Miller and Rick Robbins for being the first three finalists overall- and Kelley Pittman for being our first female finalist. We enjoyed music from the local Florida State bluegrass band during the event, and breakfast donated by Bagel World and Maple Biscuit Company.

We are so grateful to Jacksonville Beach’s Mayor Charlie Latham for coming out and speaking at our event, and sharing how important addiction awareness is in our communities. He shared that he had seen the impact drug addiction had on the Jacksonville community, and acknowledged how important being educated on the ‘one in 12’ was on helping prevent future young adults from falling into the trap of addiction.

We appreciate all of the people that came by to join us at our family-friendly event. We were lucky to have local dance studio Alius put on two special presentations during the event.  We had several bounce houses and obstacle courses for the kids, gorgeous luxury boats on display from Atlantic Coast Marina and UTVs from Golf Cars of Jacksonville. We also had some delicious food for sale from Blind Rabbit Bar and Grille and frozen treats from Whit’s Frozen Custard.

We are so thankful to our many sponsors for coming out to the event and sharing with u in this momentous occasion. Thanks to their generous contributions, the day was full of exciting activity and lots of amazing raffle prizes- including private surf and dance lessons, restaurant gift certificates, Salt Life gear, and a customized skate board. We appreciate the support of the people of Jacksonville Beach, and thank them for sharing in our efforts to educate young adults around their community. Through addiction awareness and education, we can make a difference in the lives and futures of those around us. Join us in our mission- stand up!

Thank you to all of our Jacksonville Beach 2014 Sponsors:

Golf Cars of Jacksonville, American Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, Estes Heating and Air, New Leaf Vapor Co, Jax Elite Realty, Bee Tree Homes, Remax WaterMarke, Signorama Jacksonville Beach, Fursache, Real Vapor Co, Atlantic Coast Marina, Mid-Life Criss by the Beach, Beach House Assisted Living, Metro PCS, First Coast Realty, Bosco Building Contractors, 10,000 Cell Phones, Cloud Life Vapor, Whit’s Frozen Custard, Kia Orange Park, Salt-ologie, Focus Fitness, Hydrosonic Water, Alius Dance School, Bio-Max, Cupcake Girls, Day or Night Movers, Max Muscle, Cricket, Oragetheory, Blind Rabbit Whiskey Bar and Grille, Exceed Fitness, Beach Bum Pet Spa, Sports Mania USA, Young Loud and Snotty, Saltwater Cowgirls, Pineapple Post, Blackfly, Mermaids Grotto, Lowe’s, Salt Life Food Shack, Mister Sparky, All Wet Sports, Lizard Juice Vapor Co, Home Depot, Adco, Outback Steakhouse, Milestone Race Authority.