The ALS Breakthrough!

It is a new year and 2012 has so many wonderful things ahead including continuous breakthroughs fighting ALS. Having Coach Bowden as our guest speaker at the 2011 ALS fundraiser was a motivational thrill! He helped us raise over $65,000 and I cannot thank each of you enough! We were able to send the entire amount of donations to The ALS Research Center at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. You can only imagine my excitement when Dr. Boylan, the chief scientist and neurologist at Mayo Clinic, called me personally to say that our funds helped aid in the discovery of chromosome 9 back in September 2011. This huge discovery brings us one step closer to finding a cure! Researchers can now identify 75% of the genes that cause ALS in patients. Prior to this discovery only 30% were identified. It feels so good knowing it was our money that led these brilliant scientist to this exciting breakthrough! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity!

With that being said WE can't stop here!

In lieu of a 2012 event, I am asking for you to support me this year at the Walk to Defeat ALS in Jacksonville, Florida whether you can walk by my side or help me to continue raising funds to fight ALS! The event is on March 31st, 2012 starting at Seven Bridges Grille. Please consider making a donation to:

Team Project 2-4-20

Click the link to donate or register on my team and your money will be sent directly to ALS Research at Mayo Clinic so that we can continue to find that cure!

No one should suffer like Keith did! Let's make a difference together!

If you have any questions about Team 2-4-20 and the Walk to Defeat ALS please feel free to contact the Walk Coordinator for the ALS Association Florida Chapter in Jacksonville-

Lizzie Danner

Email: LDanner@alsafl.org

Phone: 813.637.9000 ext. 115

Jacksonville Walk

Saturday | March 31, 2012

Walk Check-in: 8:30 A.M.

Walk Starts: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Seven Bridges Grille

9735 Gate Parkway North

Jacksonville, Florida 32246

Walk to Defeat ALS Jacksonville Team Project 2-4-20

Save the Date!!!

Annual PROJECT 2-4-20 ALS Gala
April 30th 2011
Coach Bobby Bowden
Featured speaker

Life, faith and football are what define Coach Bobby Bowden. What a perfect fit for project 2-4-20’s fundraiser! Coach Bowden knows first hand what it takes to make a winning team and we are thrilled he is joining the ALS team to help raise awareness and the much needed funds to find a cure! Bowden guided Florida State University to more than three hundred victories, two national championships and twelve ACC titles, finishing in the top five in the country in 14 straight seasons, and led the Seminoles to Bowl Games in 28-consecutive seasons during his 34-year tenure. He is a football icon but more than that he is a man of great faith and a role model to so many.

A big thank you to Dan Mowrey and Ronnie Clark for getting Coach Bowden to St. Augustine!! I know Keith is very grateful and so am I!

To reserve your space at The Rod and Gun Club, please call me at 904-824-7216. If you are unable to attend, you can still support Keith’s Project 2-4-20 with a donation. Just click to the right where is says DONATE. 100% of your donation goes to The ALS research center at Mayo in Jacksonville. We need your help to eradicate this devastating disease. Thank you for your support!

Alecia Jones

ALS Event = Success!

On Saturday evening, we held our special ALS charity event to continue the journey toward achieving the mission Keith created - Project 2-4-20. Over 300 people came in support of Keith’s goal! It was a wonderful evening of dinner, dancing, a skeet shoot off, and lots of fun at the Rod & Gun Club. Mickey Andrews, Florida State University’s former defensive coordinator and Keith’s defensive coach at FSU, attended as our guest speaker, and he truly inspired the crowd with his encouraging words about Keith’s life. Numerous former FSU players were also in attendance.

It was certainly a night to remember, and I’m sure Keith is smiling down from heaven! Keith’s goal was to raise $2,042,020 for the fight against ALS and to live strong and well through February 4th, 2020. While ALS robbed him of his second goal, we are continuing to pursue his fundraising mission through Project 2-4-20. In doing so, we can provide funds for global cutting-edge research, new medical equipment, and home modifications for patients with ALS. The funds we raise are also directly supporting the ALS clinic at Mayo Jacksonville. Project 2-4-20 provides other ALS patients with hope for the future, an improved quality of life, and an opportunity for “one more day!”

I know Keith would say he is so happy about our recent fundraising successes, but I also know he would say we have to keep fighting! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the money we raised through Project 2-4-20 was the money that allowed researchers to find the cure!

Alecia Jones


I'd like to give a special thank you to our event sponsors!

Premier Event Sponsors - $5,000
All American Air-conditioning – Steve and Christine Chapman
The Bailey Group
Bill and Linda Young
MPC – Financial Services- Moreno, Peelen, Pinto &Clark

Gold Sponsors - $2,500
Burkhardt Sales and Service
Leonard’s Studio Photography, Printing, Publishing
Team One Orthopedics
Terrell Hogan –Wayne Hogan -Personal Injury Attorney &Civil Trial Specialist

Varsity Sponsors - $1,500
CDM Engineers
Dr. & Mrs. Douglas L. Johnson St. Augustine Oral &Facial Surgical Center
Edmiston and Edmiston, P.A.
Herbie and Annette Wiles and Herbie Wiles Insurance
Mowrey, Shoemaker & Beardsley, PL

Garnet Sponsors - $500
Allen and Betty Crosby- Elegant Events
Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Broudy’s Liquor
Burney’s Septic Tank Service Inc.
Kevin Parry
Ray and Linda Matuza

Blue Sponsor - $500
Blue Sky Farms- Danny Johns

Project 2-4-20 Lives On

One year has passed since Keith lost his battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Although we are still so sad that he is not with us, we remember his spirited life and his positive approach to living life to the fullest in spite of such a devastating disease. To honor Keith’s life we are striving to continue the mission he launched and achieve his ultimate dream which he named “Project 2-4-20.”

I want everyone to share in Keith’s dream at a special ALS charity event which we will hold on April 17th, 2010. You can join us for dinner, dancing, a skeet shoot off, and lots of fun at the Rod & Gun Club. We are so honored to have Mickey Andrews, Florida State University’s former defensive coordinator and Keith’s defensive coach at FSU, as our guest speaker. Coach Andrews will inspire the crowd just as he has inspired all of his players for over 47 years of coaching (26 years at FSU). Mickey Andrews is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coaches in college football history! We are so excited he accepted our invitation to speak. I am sure Keith is smiling from Heaven! There will be numerous former players in attendance as well. Our local favorite Dan Mowrey will co-chair this event along with my dad Bill Young! It is sure to be a night to remember!

Keith’s goal was to raise $2,042,020 for the fight against ALS and to live strong and well through February 4th, 2020. While ALS robbed him of his second goal, we can continue to pursue his fundraising mission through Project 2-4-20. In doing so, we can provide funds for global cutting-edge research, new medical equipment and home modifications for patients with ALS. Project 2-4-20 provides other ALS patients with hope for the future, an improved quality of life, and an opportunity for “one more day!”

Please join us in helping to achieve Keith’s goals! To reserve your space at this upcoming event, call me at 904-824-7216. If you are unable to attend, you can still support Keith’s Project 2-4-20 with a donation. Just click to the right to donate to Keith's fund with The ALS Association Florida Chapter. We need your help to eradicate this devastating disease. Thank you for your support!

ALS Charity Event
Saturday, April 17th at 6pm
Rod and Gun Club
401 Gun Club Road
St. Augustine, FL
To reserve your space: 904-824-7216

Sincerely,

Alecia Jones

Keith's Last Blog

I have missed Keith every day. In going through my email “In Box” at the office and reading messages from him, I was quickly reminded of his unique sense of humor and quick wit. It also reminded me of how he always seemed to respond with so much more than just an answer to a question or mundane reply.

As many of you have called unaware of how quickly the disease had seized him, I have directed you to this blog where going forward we hope to continue to keep his spirit and memory alive. Soon our efforts and our entries will be reflected in this site and will begin to replace Keith’s written word. For now though, I am grateful Keith’s written word will continue to give perhaps one last chance to understand his perspective on his final days with us.

Alecia searched and found this blog entry that Keith was developing toward the end of last year. She mentioned that she had been trying to get Keith to show it to her, but in his typical fashion Keith wanted it to be perfect before we all had a look. As I have found recently in going back through my emails, there was so much depth to what he had to say I think you’ll find this is no different………..and quite perfect.
.…Jeff Kinney

"I am writing on the eve of the upcoming year. While 2009 is filled with promise, I think it is wise to indulge the temptation to live in the past and reflect upon 2008 and all of its lessons. Certainly, I was not a fan of 2008 but since it didn’t kill me there must have been much to learn. Here are my top ten take a ways from the year that was:

- Ultimately you are responsible for your own health care
- Love and spend time with your family
- Friends are the window to who you are
- Don’t patronize the handicapped; respect them
- Look for the best in others
- Pray and be thankful
- If someone wants to help, let them
- Limit worry and anxiety where possible
- Sleep
- Give time and money
- Sing, dance or whistle

I realize that many of you have asked about my condition as of late. Honestly over the past 90 days, my health has been marginal. I have undergone 2 surgeries, multiple sleep studies and untold shots, blood draws and tests and in general felt like garbage. At this point the lack of energy, lack of sleep and lack of weight still persists. My reply simply stated is that you don’t have the nickname “Pit Bull” at FSU unless you have a little fire in the belly and have some toughness to you. Personally I am taking me and the points in 2009. I hope you will join me in those efforts."
…Keith Jones 12/31/08

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for all the uplifting messages my children and I have received over the past few weeks. The outpouring of love and affection you have shown for Keith and our family has sustained us and will stay with us forever. All of you who have written and called know how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. On behalf of the family thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the comfort and caring you have provided us during this very difficult time. Our hearts are truly full of appreciation for all of the wonderful donations made to The ALS association on behalf of Keith’s project 2-4-20. With your help we will eradicate this devastating disease.

I hope you will return to the site shortly and read his final posting that I found after his passing. It truly reflects the courageous man we all loved and respected.

Future donations can be made through this blog or sent to:
The ALS Association Florida Chapter
In memory of Keith Jones – project 2-4-20
3242 Parkside Center Circle
Tampa, FL 33619
( 888) 257-1717

- Alecia Jones

In Memory of Keith Jones

It is with great sorrow that we write to inform you of the passing of Keith Jones. His spirited battle ended yesterday morning. His family would like to thank you for all of the love and support they have received.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church, located at 118 King Street in St. Augustine.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to the ALS Association in his honor.