Benny Potter and Western Electric playing classic rock and rockabilly music. Photo courtesy of T R Cook/The Great Falls Optimist Club
The Great Falls Optimist Club is holding its seventh annual Barn Dance, complete with a live band—"Benny Potter and Western Electric"—and barbecued ribs, chicken and bar-b-que from Famous Dave’s on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 7 to 11 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Great Falls Children’s Fund and Childhood Cancer Charity.
Club member Linda Thompson has again donated the use of her refurbished bank barn in Great Falls for the upcoming event. Famous Dave’s dinner, water and soft drinks will be provided by the Great Falls Optimist Club and beer and wine will be available for donations. The cost is $60 per person. There will be donations from local businesses for raffles and an auction.
This year’s party and dance will be held in a changed setting: Linda Thompson has fixed up the barn with lights, a stage and country-style decorations that create the perfect ambiance.
The Great Falls Optimist Club is a child-centered (501-c3) non-profit organization that focuses on supporting, encouraging and challenging children to reach greater heights. A voluntary organization, the club is always interested in welcoming new members and volunteers. Among the many annual family-oriented events sponsored or assisted by the club are the Great Falls Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt, the Fall Spooktacular at Halloween and the Fourth of July celebration in Great Falls. In addition, the club has
- initiated and provided seed funding for a Great Falls Teen Center;
- raised funds for children’s cancer research, HOPECAM, and specific children in need;
- supported local youth and sport groups;
- provided local families with needed meals and gifts during the holidays;
- supported Special Olympics, Operation Smile (a floating dental charity performing plastic surgery for children of third world countries), Habitat for Humanity;
- supported the Analemma Society in its efforts to establish an astrological education facility at Turner Farm Park;
- raised funds for Turner Farm Park;
- honored local police and emergency personnel for their work with youth;
- provided local schools with mentoring support, money and equipment to address the needs of learning and emotionally challenged students.
If you are interested in joining the Great Falls Optimist Club or volunteering at specific events, contact Membership Co-chair Angela Bongiorno at 703-759-2925 (vze3cxh6@verizon.net). Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 233, Great Falls, Virginia 22066.