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.

Welcome FSU and BC Fans

I would like to welcome all of the FSU and BC fans that learned of our growing online community here at Project 2-4-20. I am actually writing a few days ahead of the game so as to make sure that those inspired into quick action from our story presented this upcoming weekend will know that they are at the right spot.

The story line is quite simple and detailed in earlier entries on this site, which I invite you to review at your convenience. Essentially, I am one of the lucky ones when I was diagnosed with ALS (aka - Lou Gehrig's disease) in September 2007. At this point, you have probably spit your morning coffee all over your monitor, so I will wait until you have a chance to grab a few paper towels and clean that up.............. As I was saying, I am one of the luckily ones on several different fronts. Now admittedly, all the blood testing and diagnostic procedures are no fun and certainly loosing the ability to speak is less than ideal. However, when faced with such a situation as a life threatening illness, you really only have 2 choices when you eliminate all the back ground noise: you either choose to live or you choose to die. I chose to live and I thought that I would do it with a giant exclamation mark!

So where does the luck come in as many of you are probably asking. Well the first thing that you do in this situation is reflect upon your life to date and tally up your personal scorecard. Luckily for me, I was pleasantly surprised in what I found and most importantly I was comfortable with who I was. While I am not a saint by any means, not having a whole host of past transgressions hanging over my head was a God send. Next you come to realize who and what is important in your life. Again, luckily for me, I have an incredible wife and family and an extended support group as evidenced by our mini-football reunion this weekend. Even on my worst days, this support provides a much needed lift. The final stoke of luck is clarity of purpose. I can assure you that there is nothing like the diagnosis of terminal illness to snap your attention to what matters in life. Suddenly the slow driver in the fast lane doesn't bother you so much. What matters is making the most of your remaining years and leaving a lasting legacy, which in my mind includes helping others less fortunate than yourself. At the end of the day, that is my focus; helping others with ALS and finding a sustainable treatment or cure.

This is where you and I can come together for a common cause. In the top right margin corner of this site, you will see a link to my donation site for the ALS Association. As a take off on the Project 2-4-20 theme, I plan on raising $2,042,020for the benefit of the ALS Association. These monies will be put to use in research and development, equipment acquisitions for PALS, home modifications, etc. All I ask is that you take a minute to click on this link and make a donation. To illustrate my commitment to cause, I am personally contributing $5,000 to the effort. While I realize that amount is not doable for a lot of people in these challenging economic times, any donation size is greatly appreciated. Who knows, your donation could be the one that leads to a cure.

For those of you who did not have a chance to read the Tribe at the game, I have copied a draft of the article here. This was created by Rob Wilson, who is a long time principal of the Sports Information Department at FSU and truly one of the good guys. His effort below was an incredible act of giving; one for which I don't have the words to properly express my gratitude. Suffice it to say I am eternally grateful.

From the Press Box vs. Boston College 2008

Florida State and Boston College will complete what we hope will have been a perfect Homecoming experience for nearly 100,000 Seminoles fans and alumni who have almost certainly trod all over campus over the last two days and into tomorrow.

Over the last two days one could see families stopping in front of dorms pointing windows out to small children and likely telling them how they used to live right there. Folks walked across Landis Green showing off Strozier Library and almost surely inflating to anyone listening the number of hours they spent in those hallowed halls.

For some of us the fraternity house that we called home is now a parking lot, but to many more the humble classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls of our past have been replaced with wonderful state of the art structures that have been skillfully blended into what has truly become one of the most beautiful campuses in the south.

While architecture, familiar locales and football all make Homecoming a great event, it is the people and the memories that perhaps make it most special. Look around tomorrow and you will notice that on Homecoming weekend almost no one is alone. Usually it’s not just couples, but family groups or gaggles of aging men and women trying to relive the good old days. But why are there so many alumni band members charging onto the field in pre-game? Why do former NFL Seminoles make it a point to return. Why are you here?

Just one story of why seven members of Seminole teams of the early 90’s came to campus this weekend and are attending tonight’s game should touch you. This group will not be introduced at halftime to the roar of the crowd despite the fact the names are most familiar to FSU fans. They did not come back for that. While several of them regularly attend games, they are back this weekend to be with a teammate fighting a tougher opponent than Boston College ever thought of being.

Former punter John Wimberly, center Robbie Baker, safeties Bill Ragans and Leon Fowler and kicker Dan Mowrey are back this season with a teammate. I’m sure most Seminole fans can remember the gutty performance of Robbie Baker playing at LSU despite a four-inch gash in his leg. I know anyone over 15 remembers Billy Ragans laying out receivers who dared cross the middle. Most of us marveled at Leon Fowler’s blend of speed and strength. Coaches relied on John Wimberly to boom them out of danger and looked to Dan Mowrey to split the uprights. We have memories of these players and they, in turn, have memories as well.

You can name the Seminoles gathered around a teammate this weekend, but you probably can not name him and that is alright. Keith Jones – not our Keith Jones on Sun Sports and radio – but Keith “pitt-man” Jones came to FSU as a walk-on and battled through all the challenges a non-scholarship player faces eventually earning both playing time and a letter as a linebacker and defensive back. He saw considerable playing time on numerous special teams, but his real satisfaction came from just being a part of the FSU team.

Jones is here today with his teammates, but he can’t tell you how much it means to him. He can’t verbally express what it must feel like to roll through the state of the art locker room that replaced the modest digs where he and teammates dressed and trained. He won’t be able to describe how cool the stadium looks or how impressive the campus seems or how much the guys mean to him.

Jones’ voice, but hardly his spirit, has been silenced by ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Most are aware of the terrible toll this condition takes on those who suffer from it, but Jones and his teammates are determined to make us all more aware of what they can do to help those who have ALS.

“We all learned such great lessons at Florida State from Coach Bowden, Coach Andrews, Coach Amato and Coach Burnham,” said Mowrey. We all learned to strive for greatness not only in football but in everything we do. Keith is the true representative of the ideals we all learned through the game of football. I have no doubt Keith will persevere in his battle with ALS not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. He is a friend and mentor to a lot of us.”

Hopefully in reading this you get the sense that friends and family of former Seminole Keith Jones marvel at him. If you visit his blog at http://www.mkjonesyblog.blogspot.com/ you will to. He is taking on ALS head on and as a sample of his attitude read a bit of this personal mission statement he wrote when diagnosed… “The intent of project 2-4-20 is to live strong and live well through Feb 4, 2020. The concept of merely surviving until I am 50 years old and 1 day is not acceptable…”

Jones’ teammates would like for you to visit Keith’s site and see if you might be able to help those fighting ALS all over the world.

Tonight’s game is the culmination of a great event that occurs once a year on college campuses everywhere. For most of us this week has been all about Homecoming, but for others in the stadium tonight - it is more about coming home.

Random Thoughts

It has been a while since I last penned a journal entry. I want to thank all of the well wishing and prayers that have come my way in the interim. Your kind words and positive thoughts represent an incredible blessing.

On Tuesday, October 21st, I will be undergoing out patient surgery for the insertion of what is called a PEG Tube. I realize that in most cases, surgery is not tied to a very positive event. However in this case, the PEG Tube should be a very inviting proposition all things considered. Essentially the PEG is a soft piece of rubber that will be secured inside my stomach and then routed a few inches outside of the skin. The tube is then used to supplement my daily caloric intake and hydration. Consequently, the next time you see me I hope to have some weight back, specifically some "junk back in the trunk". Also, if we happen to go to dinner, don't accuse me of being cheap if all I order is the soup. The chances are that I probably enjoyed a delicious meal through a straw before joining you.

If the Seminoles go 8 and 4, Jimbo Bowden should be coach of the year in the ACC. If they go 9 and 3, Jimbo Bowden should be coach of the century!

Am I the only one that thinks Urban Meyer and Steve Markowski are twins separated at birth? For you that don't know Steve, he is one of my best friends and father to my God Daughter. He is also an avid Gator fan and Urban Meyer impersonator but with much more personality.

We traveled to California for vacation at the beginning of the month. I have not been everywhere but I am pretty well traveled. I think the coastline of the Monterrey Peninsula is the most beautiful back drop in the country. If you have not been to the Lodge at Pebble Beach, go. If you do not have the money, save. I have been two times now, and I have been awestruck on both occasions.

With respect to life and politics, I feel actions speak louder than words.

As a life long Red Sox fan, is it okay that I find myself not feeling bad about the pending defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays?

How mad are Mitt Romney and Hilliary Clinton right about now?

Finally, as several of you know, one of my main points of focus has been attempting to identify my calling in the next chapter of my life. Real estate has been so good to me for so long that it is hard to think of doing anything else. As I have told many a soul, this is not a job nor a career; this is a lifestyle. However, I realize that a mute mortgage banker that rolls in a 10:00 AM and strolls out at 4:30 PM has his limitations. My partners have been so understanding as this process has unfolded; I am deeply indebted for their patience and support. They only thing that I regret is showing them my new Dynavox computer that actually speaks for me. Now each morning, I am required to give the weather report because my computer has the same voice as "Local on the 8's" from the Weather Channel (AT&T Mike). They also make me type in off color humor, which doesn't sound so bad when I switch to Audrey with the English accent.

Now back to my original premise which was finding a new calling as my real estate career winds down, whenever that may be. Early one morning this week a concept kept coming to me as I desperately tried to get more sleep. When I got into the office, within about 5 minutes the following was completed.

Alas, the Lord has taken my tongue so that I shall say no more, but he has given me eyes to witness his grace and ears to hear his song of redemption. The Lord has provided me with strong hands to apply pen to parchment and record his great works. In this glory I will find strength, and with this pen I shall surely move mountains.

Not being the brightest bulb, I didn't see the significance of this at first blush and I guess not being able to speak and relying upon a computer to speak for me wasn't enough. Amazingly, until I literally printed this and was reviewing for typos did I realize that my answer for life's next chapter was right in front of me. I will write! I have no idea what I will write about nor what form it will take. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear about them. Otherwise, I will see you at a book tour coming soon!

In retrospect, it is amazing how most times the answers to life's questions are right in front of us if we just take the time to look. As Deepak Chopra says, "the disease of hurrying up" is a major factor in today's culture. I hope you will take a break from your personal rat race to account for all your blessings and take an inventory of the truly important things in your life. You may be amazed at what you are overlooking and the answers that lie before you.

God Speed my friends!