Lynn Lipham is competitive. Whether its a game of pool or beating you to the door, the happy-go-lucky fitness guru has a playful way about her. It’s that fun and positive attitude that draws patrons to the bartender, who has worked all over Plant City and Lakeland. It’s no wonder they’re rallying around her now.
An F-250 slammed into the back of Lipham’s car on Interstate 4 while she was going to Lakeland in the early morning hours after a shift Feb. 15 at PaddyWagon Irish Pub in Plant City. The once smiling and vibrant young woman has brain damage and is fighting for her life at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
No one knows what her future holds. So the Lakeland and Plant City communities are hosting fundraisers to pay for medical costs, both current and future. The next fundraiser will be a poker run Saturday, March 28, starting at Cuzzins Bar and ending at The Original Big Dogs Patio, in Plant City.
“It’s been pretty awesome, the amount of people who’ve reached out,” sister-in-law Tara Lipham said. “They’re doing everything in their power to help her and her family.”
Everything in their power — for someone who empowers people.
Lipham is known for hitting the gym, making it a passion a couple years ago. She still finds time to stay healthy in between working two or three jobs, and she gets others involved by posting positive messages on her Facebook and asking them to work out with her.
“She’s motivated a lot of people,” Tara said. “She motivated me. She doesn’t like negativity … She’ll post things like, ‘If you’re ready to make a change, start with today.’”
Friend Chris Stovall grew up with her two older brothers and knows her well.
“She’s all about eating right, living right,” Stovall said. “That’s how she is about everything. She’s always happy … Everyone cares about her like a little sister.”
Stovall is a manager at Big Dogs and is looking forward to sharing the hosting duties for the poker run, as well as throwing the pool tournament and after party. He was also at a fundraiser at the Imperial Swan Hotel in Lakeland.
“You could feel the love,” Stovall said. “I would hope if something ever happened to me, people would do that for me.”
Besides growing up with Lipham’s family and working for her father, Stovall has stayed in touch with her through the hospitality industry. Both have worked for bars and restaurants. He saw her check into PaddyWagon on Facebook the night of the accident, just like she had many times before. He didn’t find out until the next day she didn’t make it home.
“It makes you think about things differently,” Stovall said. “She was working out, doing great, then thrown a curve ball. It’s unreal.”
IF YOU GO
Benefit Poker Run for Lynn Lipham
WHEN: 11 a.m. March 28
THE STOPS: Cuzzins Bar, PaddyWagon, Silver Dollar Saloon, Lucky’s North Lakeland, Linkster’s North Lakeland, T’Bows 33 Lounge, Jimmy D’s (Imperial Swan Hotel) and The Original Big Dogs Patio. A pool tournament, raffles and food will start at 7 p.m.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.