Stewart-Marchman-Act Foundation Reaches Record Numbers at its Annual BEACH House 5K

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nov. 28, 2017 - PRLog -- The Stewart Marchman-Act (SMA) Foundation is pleased to announce its 2017 BEACH House 5Kbroke their record in attendance and funds raised.

The BEACH House 5K and Sand & Sun Fest, an annual fundraiser supporting SMA Behavioral Healthcare programs including its BEACH House, was held Nov. 11. There were 306 runners who completed the course, more than double the participants from last year.

A great deal of this increase may be attributed to the team at Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP). SMA and the BEACH House 5K were chosen as the charity for their annual employee fundraising campaign, where FHCP staff coordinated fundraising activities and promoted the event.

"We are grateful to all who came out to support our 5K," said Jennifer Secor, executive eirector of the SMA Foundation. "This was a record year for us and we hope to experience the same success year after year moving forward."

On top of a record number of attendees, the event raised a net amount of nearly $13,000, which will go to support BEACH House and other SMA programs.  More than 20 volunteers helped throughout the event, including volunteers from Easter Seals who staffed the event's Kid Zone.

"The support from throughout our community is critical to pulling off this event successfully," said Secor. "We are so grateful to all our volunteers and especially the loyal support from the Ocean Deck team, which always pulls out all the stops, and the team from Easter Seals who took time out of their Saturday morning to entertain the children in attendance."

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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. 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.

About BEACH House

SMA's BEACH House is a shelter that provides short-term respite for youth ages 10-17 who are truant, ungovernable or runaway/homeless.  Referrals come from CINS/FINS court, (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services), SMA's CINS/FINS Service Manager, Safe Place sites, law enforcement, school personnel and parents.  The shelter provides youth in its care with shelter, meals, individual and group counseling, educational groups and family therapy. Its goal is family reunification and assisting the family in building communication skills and relationships. Program staff also promote awareness activities related to at-risk youth in our community.

About SMA Behavioral Healthcare

SMA Behavioral Healthcare has been serving the northeast Florida community with mental health and drug treatment services for over 50 years.  SMA provides more than 35 mental health and substance abuse programs, providing prevention, diversion, intervention, and treatment services, delivered to diverse client populations Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

  SMA Behavioral Healthcare's mission is to deliver exceptional and comprehensive behavioral healthcare to individuals and families in our community. SMA's vision is of a community where addiction and mental illness are treated promptly, comprehensively and with respect for all. Contact SMA at 800-539-4228 or online at http://www.smabehavioral.org/ or stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SMABehavioralHealthServices