For Miss Tippy Toe: Event set for beloved teacher

Published 6:05 am Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Courtesy photo Miss Tippy Toe, AKA Cindy Johnson, and her RPM Outreach program is hosted at each of the county’s six schools. An event will be held on Nov. 29 to benefit Johnson, who is battling ALS. Above: The Johnsons pose before heading into a class.

Courtesy photo
Miss Tippy Toe, AKA Cindy Johnson, and her RPM Outreach program is hosted at each of the county’s six schools. An event will be held on Nov. 29 to benefit Johnson, who is battling ALS. Above: The Johnsons pose before heading into a class.

For nearly four decades, Miss Tippy Toe has given selflessly of her time, talent and love to bring the word of God to thousands of Escambia County school children.

Now, it’s the community’s chance to give something back to her – and at a time when Cindy Johnson and her family needs it most.

Johnson is best known for her RPM Outreach program. Created in 2005, Johnson began ministering in three schools to just over 700 students. Now, all six county schools and approximately 2,000 students are reached every month.

Johnson’s fight with ALS, a progress neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, has not been a secret; however, “We never know how long we have on this Earth,” said Johnson’s daughter, Lauren Salter. “Now, we’re working to let Mom know just how much she is loved and how much her work means and has meant to everyone.”

That day – Sun., Nov. 29 – will feature a 5K race, motorcycle ride, silent auction, gospel singing and community church service. Chances to win a Browning BAR are being sold for $20, and one doesn’t have to be present to win.

“My mom loves her community,” Salter said. “It means the world to her to be able to spread the word of God and show the students – and oftentimes, their parents – God’s love as well.”

There is a movement being organized to ask the Flomaton City Council to declare Nov. 29 “Miss Tippy Toe Day” in honor of the event. Organizers are still firming up the day’s official schedule; however, anyone interested in volunteering, making a donation, sponsoring a T-shirt ad should visit the group’s Facebook page “Miss TippyToe Day.”