Great Falls Optimist Club

 The Great Falls Optimist Club held its second annual barn dance, complete with a live band and great barbecued ribs and chicken on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 6:00 to 11:00 pm. Proceeds from this year’s event  - $8,000 - are going to the Nick Cafferky Medical Fund.

Nick Cafferky, a 16 year old Langley High School senior, was left paralyzed from the chest down after a swimming accident at Dewey Beach, Delaware on August 12. While playing in the surf, he broke his neck and was rescued by the Dewey Beach Patrol. Medivaced to Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware, Nick underwent surgery to stabilize his vertebrae and prevent further damage to the spinal tissue. After spending weeks at the hospital, he was transferred to the Kennedy Krieger Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore and was finally able to return home right before Christmas.

"The medical bills to this point are already astronomical," said Optimist Club President Lisa Jackson, "and we know Nick and his family face many more months of expenses for rehabilitation and equipment. Insurance won’t cover it all, so we saw an opportunity for the Club to help by raising funds to cover some of the costs. After all, our Club is all about helping the youth of our community and we view this as a way to have a tremendous, positive impact in what could be an overwhelming situation."

Club member Linda Thompson again donated the use of her refurbished bank barn in Great Falls for the event. The Cutaways entertained guests with "real deal American roots" music from the 50s, 60s & 70s; Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que provided dinner; and beer and wine was provided by The Old Brogue and Paradocx Vineyards.

"We had a spectacular time," said Jackson. "It’s not every day you get to have a great party and dance in an old barn like this and at the same time help a family in the community. Linda has fixed up the barn with lights, a stage, and country-style decorations that create the perfect ambiance. Last year’s crowd had a great time and filled the barn to capacity, so we added a tent to handle the overflow."

To make a donation to the Nick Cafferky Medical Fund, please click here.

If you are interested in joining the Great Falls Optimist Club or volunteering at specific events, please contact President Lisa Jackson at 703-421-7125 (LJackson@tfsinc.com),  Membership Chair Joda Coolidge at sandjcoolidge@verizon.net  or fill out the Join Us/Volunteer form.  Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 233, Great Falls, Virginia 22066. Donations should be identified in the memo line as "Nick Cafferky Medical Fund."