RESERVE — After 2018 Riverside Academy graduate Nick Rose was struck by a car and critically injured on a senior trip to Florida, St. John the Baptist Parish community members banded together to coordinate a massive weekend fundraiser for his medical needs.

Nick Rose Fundraising Committee member Tina Edler said approximately 25 people are involved with the planning, each one carrying a special connection to Nick and his family.

“This is close to my heart because my son, Shane, was less than 10 feet away from Nick when he got hit,” Edler said. “It could’ve been anyone’s son. We’ve all become surrogate mothers for Nick since the accident.”

She said Nick has made leaps and bounds in his recovery process. He’s been transferred to a rehabilitation facility, where he’s walking, talking “almost like normal” and receiving physical therapy services.

However, Edler said the journey to recovery is a long road.

From 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, $10 lunch and dinner meals consisting of baked chicken, dirty rice, corn, coleslaw, bread and a dessert will be sold at the Riverside Academy cafeteria in Reserve.

Weekend festivities start with a friendly bingo competition from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the cafeteria.

A $20 entry fee covers 20 games. Additional booklets can be purchased for $5 each, and blackout games are $3 a sheet with multiple cards. Refreshments and door prizes will be available.

A full-day lineup is prepared for Sunday at Reserve Bantam, located next to Riverside Academy at 312 Railroad Avenue.

A co-ed cabbage ball tournament organized by 2018 Riverside Academy graduates Madison Roussel and Haley Madere kicks off at 8 a.m.

Madere said Nick wasn’t a close friend of hers, but she knew him well enough to know he’s deserving of community support.

“From getting to know him a little better, I know he’s a great person,” Madere said. “He’s funny, and he has a good vibe that makes him a nice person to be around. This fundraiser is important to me because I like to try to help people in any way I can.”

Registration, available on-site, costs $200 per team of 10-14 players. The winning team will receive custom T-shirts, according to Madere.

For more information, call 985-817-0321 or 985-647-2260.

Home décor, sweet treats, handmade gifts and more will be featured at an arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on the Reserve Bantam grounds.

Guest admission is free. Vendor pricing is $40 per space, and each vendor is asked to provide tables, chairs and a raffle item valued at $25 or more for use in an on-site silent auction.

For more information, call Tina Poirrier Guidry at 985-703-1531 or email Kristina.colleta@gmail.com.

A “Cruisin’ the Park for Nick Rose” car show for auto enthusiasts will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday outside of the school, with $20 registration lasting from 10 to 11 a.m.

Sponsored by Jim’s Body Shop, the event includes top 10 Best of Show awards. All registered cars qualify for a door prize drawing.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Rebels football moms are selling $10 lunch plates containing hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, corn and salad at the Riverside Academy cafeteria. Dine in or carryout is available.

St. John’s finest Cajun chefs are sought for Sunday’s cook-off at Reserve Bantam. The registration deadline for 3-person teams is today, and entrants must prepare food for more than 100 people prior to judging at 10:30 a.m.

To register, call Baba Oncale at 504-415-3388 or Donna Falgoust at 504-416-6060.

Live entertainment begins at noon, featuring School House of Rock, MoJEAUX, Shot Time and Elvis Presley tribute artist Nick Perkins.

For more information or to donate to Rose’s family, contact the Nick Rose Fundraising Committee at 504-417-0442.

Facebook page Nick’s Journey to Healing documents Rose’s daily progress.