Drink Up for a Cure

If you think a charity fundraiser has to be stuffy and formal, think again. At Tips for Parkinson's, an annual event held at New York's Vertigo Bar, friends gather to have a good time — not to mention a few drinks — as they're raising money for a great cause. As volunteers rotate working shifts behind the bar, each donates all their tips to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. In just three years, the event has raised nearly $80,000.

The event was conceived by Susan Bilotta (pictured here, on the left), whose mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's 20 years ago. She came up with idea as a way to raise money and have fun.

"It's volunteering but it brings other people together and builds more awareness about the disease," she said. "And I've learned that people really want to help. Every year I'm more and more amazed at the generosity of people."

That generosity extends beyond just the volunteer bartenders. The event also includes a silent auction, featuring autographed items from the likes of the New York Giants, the New York Jets and Bruce Springsteen. How does Bilotta get these collectibles? Quite simply, by asking. "People are very responsive," she said. "I write to all the sports teams in the area. What I've learned is that you have to ask. If you don't ask, you'll never know."

Tips for Parkinson's also includes a special cocktail for the night, called The Knock-Out. The entire proceeds from this potent vodka blend are also donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundations. "We decided the best way to get a lot a money out of people was to have a vodka drink," Bilotta laughed.

The "bartenders" for the night have plenty of experience dealing with money — they're mostly Wall Streeters who Bilotta has met working for a company that issues farm loans. Although there's so much bad press about the financial community these days, Bilotta says that they remain generous when it comes to fighting Parkinson's. "There are a lot of very giving people out there," she said. "It's absolutely amazing to me how much people are willing to give."

Not surprisingly, the Wall Street barmen can get a bit competitive. Starting last year, Bilotta decided to give the bartender who raises the most tip money a small prize as an added fundraising incentive.

This year's event will be held on May 20. Although it's a fun evening that brings in lots of money, Bilotta is hopeful that a cure will be found soon, making it obsolete.

"It will be a really great day when I don't have to do this any more and find something else to make a difference with," she said.

Learn more about Tips for Parkinsons here. And, stay tuned to Tonic all month for more inspiring stories about people fighting the disease.