8th Annual HUGS Event

8th Annual HUGS Event, Largo Central Park, Saturday, November 3rd 2012

Once again I organized The 501st Legion's involvement in the 8th annual HUGS event at Largo Central Park, which raises money for Hydrocephalus.  This year over $7,000 was raised. 

This event is put together by my friend Paula Kaiser, a tireless advocate for people who suffer from Hydrocephalus, a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This may cause increased pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death.

The only known treatment is brain surgery every few years. This event helps raise not only awareness, but money for a cure.

Left: Kellie Lightbourne is a friend of mine who is Mrs. Universe and is a tireless advocate of helping others. She works with troubled teens, and has been on a Trooping For The Troops event with the 501st Legion at the Tampa VA last year. We may collaborate on future programs or events to help others, particularly teens.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this event. The full album is viewable HERE.

We take the Tampa Bay Rays mascot into custody, parading him around the field with his hands behind his back. Good times!

We led the procession of walkers around the park this year, being encouraged by cheerleaders 

Kellie Lightbourne and Paula Kaiser, who organizes this event each year. Her son Jeremy has Hydrocephalus, and has already lived longer than many children who have this disease.

Below: after the troop, Legion members grab some chow, with Kellie and her daughter