Fundraising concert to help injured Antioch Marine

As Marine Cpl. John Peck fights in his recovery from near-fatal injuries suffered in Afghanistan, the Antioch community is continuing its support by planning a fundraising concert.

"We are trying to get this fund focused on building up funds for him now," said village Trustee Dennis Crosby, who has taken a lead role in the effort. "He and his wife are going to need a tremendous amount of help."

Peck, a 2004 graduate of Antioch High School, was moved out of the intensive care unit this week at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland after being wounded by a roadside bomb on May 24.

He has lost all four limbs and has fought through infections, pneumonia and a coma since that day, and just recently regained his ability to speak.

Crosby said Peck and his wife called him Saturday to say thank you.

"He's still weak, but at least he was talking," Crosby said. "He sounded like a young man who has been through a lot."

Mike Babicz, an Antioch resident helping plan the event, said this was the first time Peck has spoken with anyone from their committee.

"It's fantastic," Babicz said.

The committee planning fundraising events has booked four bands to play an all-day concert in Peck's name on Aug. 7, from noon to 10 p.m., at the Antioch band shell. The organizers are asking for a $5 donation to enter, and expect around 1,000 attendees.

"It's going to be quite a big deal," Crosby said.

Crows Feet Unplugged, Big Timber, Tony and the Effects and Larry Wimmer will each play a set for no charge, and groups from across the community are donating items to make the event as successful as possible.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Antioch will sell beer at the event, the local Moose Lodge is going to sell food, the Lions Club will set up tents if needed and the Bob McCarty family will supply water and soda.

"We've got a little bit of everyone involved," said Mike Babicz, who is planning the event along with Crosby. "This was put together in one month. It's really coming together well."

Babicz said new Marine Corps recruits will help to set up the event and clean up after.

Donations for the "CPL John Peck Fund" will also be collected at the Crusin' Antioch event Wednesday evening.

"We've got a lot of people in the area and community who have gotten involved," Babicz said. "We purposely tried to get a weekend where there wasn't a lot going on."

Donations for the fund can be deposited in Peck's name at The State Bank of the Lakes, 440 Lake St., Antioch.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=393083">Antioch Marine recovering after near-fatal injury <span class="date">[07/09/10]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=387894">Injured Antioch Marine still in fight of his life <span class="date">[06/15/10]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=387177">Help sought for injured Marine's family <span class="date">[06/11/10]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>