The Ballast Band and friends are hosting “Hailly-Jam” starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Gloucester Brewing Company, 6778 Main Street, Gloucester.
This event will immediately follow the Gloucester Christmas and Holiday parade, and it will benefit Hailly Craig and her family, who are battling autoimmune encephalitis, or PANS.
Stones Throw, which features acoustic rocker duo Jeff Green and Eddie Terrell, will play at 5 p.m., and The Ballast Band will take the stage at 7. In the event of inclement weather, “Hailly-Jam” will be postponed until the next day, Sunday, Dec. 8, starting at 3 p.m.
Ballast Band members are Matt Williams, guitar and vocals; Frank West, keyboards and vocals; Ken Gibson, drums; and Charles Records, bass guitar and vocals.
The Ballast Band will welcome guest vocalists Amy and Mary VanFossen, and children of The Ballast Band will also perform, including Jack Gibson, percussion; Paul Williams, guitar; and Josephine Williams, vocalist.
Suggested donations for attending will be $20 per adult and $5 per young person under 18. The Old City BBQ food truck will be there offering its full menu.
“This event of epic proportions will be a time for our community to come together to rock out and support Hailly and her family in their battle against a terrible disease,” Matt Williams said.
Sixteen-year-old Hailly Craig of Gloucester was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis/PANS last year. Her parents, Seth and Angie Craig, are working hard to support their daughter and keep their family strong as she receives expensive treatments in Washington, D.C.
“Our family is also battling this disease with our son Jack, so we recognize the financial hardship that this situation creates. That’s why we want to help our neighbors, the Craigs,” Ballast Band drummer and event sponsor Ken Gibson added.
“We at the Brewing Company are more than happy to host this event. We are all about friends and community coming together, and this event is both,” Gloucester Brewing Company owner Mike Brewer said.
Food, drinks and beer will be available for purchase. Raffle prizes of donated items and services will be available throughout the evening.
Craig suffers with autoimmune encephalitis, or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes). The disorder includes serious inflammatory brain conditions caused by a misdirected immune response. For more information, visit www.Va4pa.org.
Jack Gibson, 16, son of Beth and Ken Gibson of Gloucester, also suffers with the condition and is enthusiastic to be part of this benefit for Hailly. Gibson was diagnosed autoimmune encephalitis in April. Both Gibson and Craig are undergoing treatment, and their families are asking for prayers that both will make a full recovery.
Sponsors
Local businesses and organizations can sponsor the event or donate products or services for the raffle. Individuals are invited to donate items as well, or serve as event volunteers.
Any business or person interested in helping may contact Kevin Brophy at kevlynbro@protonmail.com or 804-695-6246. More information is available at www.globrewco.com and www.facebook.com/theballastband.
Gloucester’s The Ballast Band (Ken Gibson, Charles Records, Dr. Frank West and Matt Williams, from left) is celebrating the courage of 16-year-old Gloucester resident Hailly Craig (above) in her fight against autoimmune encephalitis/PANS with a benefit called “Hailly-Jam” on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Gloucester Brewing Company, following the Gloucester Christmas and Holiday Parade on Main Street. Stones Throw will perform at 5 p.m., followed by The Ballast Band at 7.