Friends, family and loved ones will be hosting a benefit dance for Richard "Digger" Bloom this weekend.

Starting at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club in Lehighton, local bands Damian, PsydFx, and Another Day Dawns will take the stage to entertain the crowd and raise funding for Bloom, who was paralyzed following a swimming accident in July 2010. In addition, there will be 50/50 drawings, a basket raffle, and plenty of food and refreshments.Proceeds from the event will go toward new equipment for Bloom, including a standing wheelchair, a new air mattress, and an overhead track system, as well as to cover the cost of therapy.Tickets can be purchased at the door for $25 or in advance for $20 by contacting Roxxie Berger at 610-554-2993 or

roxxie_b@yahoo.com, or Jonice Tracy at 570-236-9137 or

jtracy4@ptd.net. Ticket costs cover the entertainment, beer, soda and food.