After its two-year hiatus, the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Week of Hope will return to Southampton Village this summer to raise awareness for mental health. From July 27 to August 6, over 50 local business owners, including Douglas Elliman, J. McLaughlin and Michael Kors, will display environmentally safe and reusable bright yellow statement balloons at their front doors, symbolizing hope and their commitment to raise mental health and depression awareness.
The Week of Hope was created in 2018 by Southampton resident Audrey Gruss’s Hope for Depression Research Foundation, a leading non-profit dedicated to fighting depression through research and education that has provided more than $40 million for depression research to date. This year’s launch will be hosted by Gruss and Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren on Wednesday, July 27, at 11 AM in Southampton Village, outside of AKRIS.
The week will conclude with the Race of Hope on Sunday, August 7 at 8:30 AM around Lake Agawam. Gruss will be a Co-Grand Marshal of the Race with HDRF Board member and East Hampton resident Arthur Dunnam. The Week of Hope, in conjunction with the Race of Hope, has helped to raise over $1 million for advanced depression research.