Upcoming Fundraisers

Message Board  Print A HelpCoop.com Poster  Photo Gallery

Re-COOP-erating Report  Send Ashley A Card

Link To HelpCoop.com  Upcoming Fundraisers

* Donate Now *

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

Friends Don’t Forget: Paralyzed Lifeguard Gets Help
www.HelpCoop.com

Contact:
Cindy Lovell
P.O. Box 10
Edgewater, FL 32132
Phone: 386-748-1256
E-mail: admin@helpcoop.com

Volusia County lifeguard Ashley Cooper, “Coop” to her friends, rescued many people from deadly rip currents of New Smyrna Beach. Now she is paralyzed from the chest down, a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in early May.  Undergoing rehab in Atlanta, Georgia, Cooper is far from home and friends.  But she is not forgotten.

The first order of business was building a web site to provide progress reports, a communication forum, and inform visitors of fundraising events.  The site, www.HelpCoop.com, was built and is maintained by friends.  And friends are organizing creative fundraising events, from car washes to poker runs to ebay auctions.  Even Jimmy Buffett got involved sending get well wishes in the form of a signed photo to Cooper and providing a signed CD to auction off on her behalf.

The first official fundraising event, a poker run, is planned for Saturday, July 17^th at Drifter’s Sports Bar & Grill in Daytona Beach Shores.  Organized by Ashley’s Beach Patrol captain, Dave Williams, bikers will “Ride for Coop”.  The next day, Sunday, July 18^th, Gilly’s Pub 44 in New Smyrna Beach will host a fundraiser from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. with live music by the Justice Jackson Band, The Pirates, and Ryan Shields.  Details are available online at www.HelpCoop.com.

The community has embraced the cause of helping Coop get back on her feet.  Supporters include fellow lifeguards, Volusia County Council members, local businesses, classmates, and virtually everyone who knows her.  Proceeds will go to remodeling her home, medical costs, etc.  Family and friends are hopeful that Ashley will ultimately be accepted into The Miami Project to undergo experimental therapy.  In the meantime, Cooper works on rehab in Atlanta while her friends at home work on fundraising. 

- END PRESS RELEASE –