- April 28, 2024
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Ashley Young strives to make people feel seen and appreciated.
If a friend is having a bad day, she'll send them a text telling them they're the best at their job. She'll tell a coworker they're doing great at a task that may seem monotonous. She makes sure to get a bag of gummy bears for her husband every grocery trip, leaving them for him on his bedside stand.
"It just feels good to be thought of," Young said. "I think that's what, at the end of the day, everybody wants: to be a thought, to feel important and loved."
Those small acts of kindness can make a difference, she said. That's why she's motivated to cheer people on as they aim to accomplish new things or tackle challenges.
"I get excited when I see somebody doing something that excites them," Young said. "I just want to let them know what they're doing is important and fulfilling. ... If it's important to them, I just want to let them know it's important to me too."
She's surrounded by people who inspire her, she said. In her personal life and at work.
Young, a lifelong Ormond Beach resident, works at Simply Roses Florist. Prior to that, she used to be a teacher's assistant at Tomoka Elementary, but after she took a wreath-making class at Simply Roses, she was drawn in by Ashlee Roberson's energy.
When Roberson said at the end of class that she needed help in the shop during the holidays, Young volunteered.
"Then I didn't renew my contract with the county and I just wanted to stay there," Young said. "I loved it so much."
When a full-time job became available, Young jumped on the opportunity once again.
"It's all strong women that are supporting each other and support their families, and it's just a really, really healthy environment to be in."
Every 56 days, Young donates blood.
She's been regularly donating since she was 18 years old, though she said she's been more constant about in the last few years. She remembers when the American Red Cross had a blood donation on White Street near Daytona State College.
"And they are not even around anymore to do that," she recalled.
From her thoughtful daily messages to how much she inspires so many, Ashley Young was the first person that came to mind when asked about this award. She gives selflessly to this community in numerous ways and brightens everyone’s path she comes across. Ash is truly one of the most genuine and kind hearted human beings I’ve ever met and I feel so grateful to call her my dear friend." — DAINA AKIALIS, STANDING O 2023 NOMINEE
Young recently received a card celebrating the 4 gallons of blood she's donated in total.
Whatever she can do to help her community, she's willing to do, she said — whether that's donating blood or just donating time.
"When we go (to the beach), we're always bringing a Publix bag and we're always filling it with trash," Young said. "That's nothing. I'm walking anyway. I'm here. Why not pick up stuff?"
It's also a way to set an example for her children and instill those same values.
"That's the biggest, to me, impression or fingerprint you can put on your community is making better citizens for the next go-around," Young said.
Lately, Young's motto has been, "I can do hard things."
Sometimes, we tend to be our worse critics, but being surrounded by people who are constantly pushing themselves helps keep her motivated too.
It just feels good to be thought of. I think that's what, at the end of the day, everybody wants: to be a thought, to feel important and loved." — ASHLEY YOUNG
Young is a member of East Ormond Beach CrossFit, and she starts her mornings every day there at 5:30 a.m. Melissa Kiel, who owns the gym, has been an inspiration to her as well, Young said.
"You're not going there just to build your body," Young said. "You're not going there just to be strong."
She and Kiel both decided to quit alcohol earlier this year, and having Kiel join her on the journey has made an impact. Young decided to quit because she wanted to be a role model for her kids.
"We want to be our best version of ourselves," Young said. "We want to be healthy. We want to do all these things."
It's easy to get caught up in negativity, she said, and she's not blind to the problems that exist, but Young said she doesn't want to ignore the good things that surround her.
"You're in charge," she said. "[Life] can be what you want it to be. It doesn't always have to be good, and it's not going to always be bad, but just make the best of it."
