In Lieu of Flowers

William Ruff shared his time and meager resources generously with many wonderful service organizations. In lieu of flowers, his family invites you to contribute a donation to one of the many important nonprofit organizations he served throughout the last years of his life.

**National Alliance on Mental Illness** (Alabama) is an organization advocating for the rights and access to treatment for mental health peers. William was active in the organization during his residency in Alabama, active at the local and state level on the board, as a Peer Facilitator, as a Trainer, and in many other volunteer leadership roles. DONATE AT THIS LINK

**Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary** is a 600 acre nonprofit wilderness education center in Central Vermont with a mission of conservation, education and healing. Sage Mountain is directed by William’s oldest daughter, Emily, and offers opportunities for human to connect with plants and wildlife for healing self and healing planet through on-site and online programs. Contributions in memory of William will be directed to botanical programs and those focused on the intersection of mental health and nature. DONATE AT THIS LINK

**Blissful Life Corporation** is a nonprofit wellness studio offering sliding scale yoga classes for members of the Ocala, Florida community. Blissful Life is directed by William’s youngest daughter, Kelsielynn. We are especially grateful to receive donations in memory of Bill to support offering free yoga classes as a modality for supporting mental health for those in need. DONATE AT THIS LINK

**The Grief Care Project** is a program of the Florida School of Holistic Living (501c3), directed by William’s oldest daughter Emily. This project began after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016, distributing herbs and holistic remedies to families of victims, first responders, and anyone in the community to ease the experience of trauma and support the process of grieving and healing. The Project soon expanded to help other communities set up their own community outreach and holistic relief. It currently provides resources for communities to set up similar models, and shares inspirational and supportive resources online for all individuals experiencing grief and trauma. Donations in Bill’s memory will support distributing free educational programs to those in need, including the recently released online course Emotional First Aid. DONATE AT THIS LINK

Botanical Benches for Bill

William was a professor of botany and a lover of nature. Friends have suggested collecting donations to place a memorial bench in the botanical gardens that Bill loved to wander and enjoy with friends and family. Our family thought that given such a legend and a legacy of generosity and grace, why should we remember him in just one garden?

Instead, we are dreaming big in the hopes his wide network of generous friends and family can help us place benches in his memory in many different garden locations, as a tribute to how wide his compassion and brilliance extended. This is but one more way that William’s legacy can continue to touch future generations, offering opportunities for people to take rest and soak in the inspiration and peace that he found so healing in nature. In addition, during a time when botanical gardens are struggling for finances, this initiative will help contribute to the continuation of operations for many worthy public gardens – in Professor Ruff’s honor.

Memorial Benches are being initiated at some of the gardens Bill loved to wander most, including Mead Garden (Winter Park FL), Bodhi Garden (Orlando FL), Birmingham Botanical Garden (Alabama), Fairchild Tropical Garden (Miami FL), and Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary (Vermont). Click the links in this paragraph to contribute to a bench in his name at the garden of your choice or contact us to inquire about making a contribution.