Bobby Hines and Jason Stillwell first met in high school, where they were casual acquaintances, hanging out a bit but eventually losing touch as life took them in different directions. Bobby would occasionally see Jason’s updates on Facebook, where he learned about Jason’s relationship with his dad and his new mission—playing catch for 365 days to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

One day, out of the blue, Jason walked into the Sandy’s restaurant where Bobby worked, and the two picked up a ball and played catch. That simple moment reignited their connection. Bobby continued to follow Jason’s journey online, but it wasn’t until tragedy struck—when Bobby lost his brother—that their friendship deepened. In the midst of his grief, Bobby reached out to Jason, and Jason didn’t hesitate. He showed up at the restaurant four or five times a week, just to talk. Those talks became the spark of something bigger.

At the time, neither of them knew exactly what they were doing or where it would lead. They just knew they wanted to do something. They started small—handing out pictures, stickers, and bracelets, showing up for people who needed it, and being there for those tough phone calls that no one else wanted to make. Slowly but surely, the movement began to take shape.

Through it all, Bobby and Jason’s friendship grew stronger, and their families became close as well. The bond they built became the heart of what is now the “YouMatter” movement, a mission rooted in support, kindness, and simply being there for others. Today, one of the core principles of YouMatter remains the same as when they first started: Bobby and Jason always check on each other—because that’s where it all began.