Celebrate National Flip Flop Day and get a free smoothie

As if anyone needs another reason to wear flip flops in the hot desert sun, today if you do at a local business you can help out a good cause.

From 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. today at Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 1541 E. Highway 372 you can get a 24-ounce Jetty Punch smoothie free for wearing flip flops as part of their National Flip Flop Day campaign.

Although the smoothie won’t cost you anything, donations are being accepted to help out Camp Sunshine.

Camp Sunshine is an organization out of Maine that provides healthy, happy camping experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses.

This is the tenth year Tropical Smoothie has been holding its National Flip Flop Day initiative, and their efforts have raised $3.7 million in that time.

“National Flip Flop Day is the single most important day of the year to Tropical Smoothie Café,” said Jennie Hong, senior director of Brand Marketing and Strategy for Tropical Smoothie Café. “We’re planning for 2016 to be one of our most successful yet in terms of giving back to children in need. We’ve seen firsthand how much Camp Sunshine means to the kids and families who attend and we want to provide that opportunity to as many people as possible.”

This year the goal is to raise $1 million and donations will be accepted at all Tropical Smoothie Cafes throughout the month of June.

A donation between one dollar and four dollars will receive a paper flip flop that the donor can write their name on and is to be hung inside the business.

If a donation between five dollars and nine dollars is made, the person will receive a flip flop key fob, which will entitle the holder to receive 30 percent off at feelzgood.com, an all-natural flip flop company.

If someone donates $10, they will receive a limited edition, reusable mug featuring artwork designed by a previous camper.

Camp Sunshine is a year-round retreat located in Casco, Maine, 30 miles from Portland on Sebago Lake. The camp has provided hope, and support to over 43,500 individuals from 48 states and 23 countries. Camp Sunshine is currently the only full-time facility in the nation whose sole purpose is to provide a relaxing break for the whole family of a child with a life-threatening illness.

The program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness. For more information, visit the website at www.CampSunshine.orgor call 207-655-3800.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.