[Stitcher]

Flip-floppers raise $11,000 for Parkinson's

By LORRAINE THOMPSON
Posted: Sunday, July 29, 2007 ; Updated: 6:01 PM on Sunday, July 29, 2007
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/0...html?fromrss=1

More than $11,000 was raised at this year's annual Flip-Flop 'Til You Drop island beach walk event, a fund raiser for local Parkinson's disease victims, held on July 14 in St. Augustine Beach.

With 494 participants, the walkers logged a total of almost 1,000 miles between the starting point of Beef 'O Brady's and the finish line, FA CafÈ.

Walkers headed north on Beach Boulevard, then detoured to the beach, leaving their footprints in the sand, until they reached Third Street where they headed toward FA CafÈ on Beach Boulevard. A St. Augustine Sightseeing Train transported those participants who chose not to walk the route.

All flip-floppers received coupons that could be exchanged for beverages at any of 10 restaurants along the way.

The flip-flop event was started five years ago by a group of neighbors who call themselves the Alphabet Zoo because they each live on lettered streets of St. Augustine Beach. They prefer to remain anonymous.

Rather than reveal his true identity, "Henry" as he is known in Alphabet Zoo land, said that they had hoped to raise $10,000 this year to exceed last year's take of $7,000. Instead the "Zoo" did better than that with its 2007 total of $11,630.

"Henry" said the money has been given to the St. Augustine Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Pay for medication

Kim Coshow, director of the local Parkinson's support group and the Parkinson's Patients Assistance Program, said she was dumbfounded by the results. "I know the people of St. Augustine Beach always come through for a good cause, and each year it gets better," Coshow said.

Most of the money will be used locally to help pay for medication for those with Parkinson's who cannot afford the monthly tab for medications, Coshow said. Some victims, Coshow said may take between eight and 15 medications a day.

Funds are also used to defray the cost of transporting patients to local medical appointments, and in some cases, to the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

The St. Augustine Parkinson's Disease Support Group holds informative programs on the fourth Sunday of the month starting at 2 p.m. at the Council on Aging, 180 Marine St.

"Our goal is to provide up to date information on research, medical progress and available assistance to local victims of the disease," Coshow said.

The programs are open to the public including Parkinson's patients and their families and caregivers. For information, call Coshow at 824-7776.

Looking ahead, next year's Flip-Flop 'Til You Drop event is scheduled for July 12.