ZipperQ 5 was held on Saturday, October 1, at the Claremore Expo. Live music, a barbecue competition, auctions, and more made for a fun, family-friendly afternoon for a great cause. Proceeds raised from ZipperQ (which have been in the six figures for all five years) will be donated to the IFOPA, which researches a cure for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, or FOP, which is a rare genetic disease. Only 800 confirmed cases are in the world, and 8-year-old Zip Gordon of Claremore is one of those.
Lori Henrotay, whose daughter has FOP, traveled from St. Louis for ZipperQ and took the following photos.
Zip created the art piece shield pictured above, and it was in the live auction.
Winners of the shield were Cassity and Jake Bixby.
Raffle tickets were sold for the chance to win a brand-new Jeep Wrangler.
Zip drew the winning ticket at the conclusion of ZipperQ 5…
as his sister, Arlie, mom Amy, and dad Jacob looked on.
Winner was Jeri Koehler of Claremore!
Pictured left to right: Amy Gordon, Zip Gordon, Arlie Gordon, Jacob Gordon, Jeri Koehler and Chris Koehler
Jeri and Chris Koehler, 2106 ZipperQ Jeep winners
Jeri and Chris Koehler, 2106 ZipperQ Jeep winners
Steve and Kay Ulrich
Amy Gordon and lifelong friend, Danielle Larabee Frasier, who traveled from Florida for the event.
Rob and Sandy Melton (Zip’s grandparents) and Amy Gordon (Zip’s mom)
Amy and Jacob Gordon at the conclusion of ZipperQ 5
Congratulations to the Gordons and another successful event. Many, many thanks to everyone who made it possible. Without sponsors, barbecue chefs, donors, volunteers, and attendees, ZipperQ would be nothing but a dream. See you next year!
