Tropical Smoothie Cafés nationwide are welcoming the start of summer with their second annual National Flip-Flop Day celebration. On Saturday, the first 500 customers who visit the Gunbarrel Road location wearing flip-flop sandals will receive a free 24-ounce Jetty Punch (strawberry and banana) smoothie.

New to the promotion this year is a charity partnership with Camp Sunshine, a retreat in Casco, Maine, for children with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, kidney disease and lupus, and their families.

“There is no better way for us to celebrate our second annual summer kickoff day than to partner with an organization that helps children and their families who truly need an escape,” said a news release from Jason and Jeab Maumenee, owners of the local store.

Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org) has offered recreational, medical and counseling services at no cost to more than 16,000 individuals from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds since 1984.

Funds raised during a four-week period that ends Saturday at Tropical Smoothie Café will be used to sponsor a local family or families. In addition, the funds will be used to cover family travels to and from Camp Sunshine for Tropical Smoothie Café week, Aug. 3-7, as well as camp scholarships and construction and capital improvements of the camp.

Tropical Smoothie Café is at 1925 Gunbarrel Road behind Chili’s.

The menu features real-fruit smoothies, as well as specialty wraps, gourmet sandwiches and salads.

For more information, visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com or call (888) 292-2522.