#DanaBarrettStrong Volleyball Tournament

After a diving accident left East Quogue native Dana Barrett with a broken neck, damaged spine, and the inability to breathe on her own, a volleyball tournament fundraiser has been organized to aid the former gymnast and snowboarder in paying for rapidly-accumulating medical bills.

The Dana Barrett Volleyball Tournament will be Sunday, September 8, from 10 AM to 5 PM at Tiana Beach. All skill levels are welcome. There will be food, raffles, and more during the day-long event in partnership with the East End Volleyball League. Teams of at least six players, and up to 10, can register for $300, which needs to be done by September 1. This event is rain or shine, with all proceeds being donated to Barrett.

Since the June 30 incident, Barrett’s family and friends have seen a tremendous outpour of support, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $300,000 from more than 2500 donors. She has undergone multiple surgeries, and according to cousin Jamie Perna, who started the online fundraiser, Barrett had a very successful first few days of rehabilitation that began at Mount Sinai Hospital at the end of July.

“She now has her voice back and she passed her swallow test,” Perna wrote. “She can now eat and drink for the first time in a month. Her first requests were a blue Gatorade and a chicken parmesan panini. She then ordered a multi-course meal for dinner. That’s our girl.”

Perna said the next hurdle is working on getting Barrett off her ventilator and breathing on her own.

The Dana Barrett Supplemental Needs Trust has been created to receive funds that have been and will be raised through GoFundMe. Barrett’s aunts, Susan Small and Pam Carroll, sisters of her mother, Lisa, are co-trustees. The pair will oversee managing the trust, which will fund the care, maintenance, support, and education of Barrett. In the unlikely event any funds are not used for Barrett’s benefit, they will be distributed to one or more charitable organizations that provide support, funding for cure research, knowledge, and educational programs for people living with paralysis and their caregivers, according to Perna’s GoFundMe post.

If interested in donating or volunteering to help with the volleyball tournament, email dbvolleyball2019@gmail.com.

Red Devil Swim

The East Hampton Volunteer Ocean Rescue will host a benefit swim Saturday, August 31.

Quarter-mile, half-mile, and mile Red Devil swims will begin at 5 PM for ages seven and up, for entry fees ranging from $40 to $50.

The rescue team is comprised of volunteer Suffolk County-certified ocean lifeguards who respond to 911 dispatched emergencies year-round on the East End. Registration will begin 4 PM the day of the event. For more information visit www.ehvor.org.

Atlantic Golf Club Tournament

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is hosting a September Golf Tournament at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton Monday, September 9.

Limited foursomes are available. For more information and to register, email RobertaS@whbpac.org or call 631-288-2350 ext. 117.

desiree@indyeastend.com