Friends and family of J.B. Atkinson of Port Aransas have organized a benefit dinner and auction to help him with medical expenses. It was scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Coast Club, 1023 State Hwy. 361, Suite A. Due to potential weather conditions, it has been tentatively rescheduled for the following Saturday, Sept. 20.

Atkinson, a lifelong resident of Port Aransas, was hospitalized after an assault on Saturday, Aug. 30. He was taken to Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial by Halo-Flight, which costs an average of over $8,000 per trip. That expense, added to hospital bills, is financially overwhelming for Atkinson, who is self-employed and has no medical insurance.

A silent auction and Chinese prize drawing will be held throughout the day at the Coast Club, which is open on Saturday from noon to 2 a.m.

Several bands will perform during the day, including Flat Broke, Low Down Project and Tony Leon.

A chicken barbecue dinner, with all the trimmings, will be available for $8 per plate from 3 to 6 p.m. The chicken, donated by Mike Hall and the Family Center IGA, will be prepared by grillmaster Rick Kalke, Billy Slingerland, Hayden Abel, Rick Tinnin and Harry Shaw. Potato salad is being donated by Jay's Seafood and Spaghetti Works, and coleslaw by Billy Slingerland. Miss K's Catering will donate 400 cookies.

Tickets can be bought in advance from Debbie Kalke (361) 319-2925 or from B.K. Winn 749-7560. Advance purchase is not required.

Some of the many prizes include a fishing trip, a "Pod House weekend" donated by Jerry Buckley, a $500 landscaping by Winston Caraker, and numerous gift certificates and items from Port Aransas shops.

Monetary or prize donations can still be made by contacting Joe Trevino at (210) 254-7006.

Trevino, a long-time family friend of the Atkinsons, is staying in Port Aransas for a few weeks to organize the benefit and help out "with anything I can do for J.B. and his family," he said.

A fund has been set up in at the American Bank, 216. S. Alister St., under Atkinson's name.

For more information, contact Trevino at (210) 254-7006.