Published: May 22, 2008 08:48 am      

Concert fundraiser for child injured in crash

Accident claimed the life of child’s father

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A fundraising concert is planned for this weekend to help the family of the boy injured in a March car accident.

Dewey Gibbons, of London, was killed in the accident and his son, 3-year-old Brady Gibbons, was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital for treatment, where he was listed in critical condition.

The accident occurred near the border of Laurel and Jackson counties.

The fundraiser was organized by Masons Terry Smith with the Pond Fork Lodge in Annville and James Miller with the Waco Masonic Lodge in Madison County. Smith said he doesn’t know Brady directly but is acquainted with his grandmother through a hair salon she operates in the Annville area.

“We saw a need and this was the greatest thing to help at that time,” he said.

Even though Brady has now returned home, his recovery is far from complete. Smith said he lost vision in one of his eyes and will have to wear leg braces. Because of the injuries he suffered, Brady will face doctor’s visits. Smith said after Brady’s father passed away as a result of the accident, his medical bills were no longer covered under insurance and now total more than $100,000.

“It’s just completely overwhelming for the family right now,” Smith said. “He’s got to go to so many specialists. His mother can’t work. Somebody’s got to take care of the baby.”

The fundraiser will take place Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Muncy Park, located off Highway 290 in Annville. Smith said six bluegrass and gospel groups will perform and concessions, such as hotdogs, hamburgers and cornbread will be sold. These items were donated from area businesses. An auction will also take place and Smith said organizers are still looking for businesses that may want to contribute auction items or involvement from other Masonic lodges.

“We need items from businesses around here,” he said.

Admission to the fundraising concert is free and donations will be taken. All proceeds will go toward Brady’s family. For those unable to attend the concert but still wishing to contribute, Smith said an account has been set up at the Jackson County Bank in care of Brady Gibbons.

Smith said he also wished to thank Luther Muncy of Pond Fork Lodge, a relative of Muncy Park owner Jim Muncy.

“He has worked extensively on this,” Smith said.

He also wanted to thank other members of the Pond Fork Lodge helping with the event’s organization, who were “too many to name.”

“We knew the family would need help,” Smith said. “This is what Masonry’s about.”

For more information or to contribute to the event, Smith can be reached at (606) 391-3061 or (859) 273-9836.