It’s National Flip Flop Day. When I was young, flip flops were only worn in the summer. I had a few pair, and each spring when the weather got warm, out they would come. Then the band-aids followed for the first week with that awful support piece between my toes. One year we had a puppy and my flip flops were his favorite chew toy. I had to put them up on a chair or on my dresser when I took them off to protect them. Good thing they weren’t expensive to replace.

Today’s kids, and adults alike, wear flip flops all year. I still have no understanding of a youngster, who will go to school when it is 50 degrees out and be wearing flip flops. It just doesn’t make logical sense at that temperature. But we all know, if it’s the craze, most will follow the path. I wouldn’t be one of them. I like to be comfortable.

I’m also not sure flip flops are good for a young, still growing, back. I was taught to wear good shoes with good support, except in the summer when we went bare foot or wore flip flops. Yeah, I know, my mother was too practical, and now I am her. My summer shoes are sandals with good arch support; part of aging I guess.

In 2007, Tropical Smoothie Cafe created this day to celebrate its 10th anniversary.  Customers who come into participating Cafes across the nation wearing flip-flops received a free Jetty Punch Smoothie then bought a $1 paper flip flop. The money raised was used to send ill children and their families to Camp Sunshine which is in Casco, Maine. Their mission is focused solely on addressing the effects of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family — the child, the parents and the siblings.  This year-round program is free of charge to families. In 2015, $1 million was raised by Tropical Smoothie Cafe for Camp Sunshine.  The total amount raised since the beginning in 2007 is over $3.7 million.

If you have a Tropical Smoothie Café near you, may I urge you to put your flip flops on, go get a free smoothie today and buy a few of those paper flip flops to help another family dealing with illness.