Colleen Clarke, the beautiful, blue-eyed, red haired, 6-year-old girl with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, is continuing to capture the hearts of many Massapequans.

The community began to raise funds for little Colleen over five years ago, after George Vignola, past president of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, heard about her plight at his church parish. This year, the Colleen Clarke Fund-raising Committee will hold its third annual golf outing/dinner party for the cause on July 26.

The North Massapequa girl has already benefited from past fund raisers, but the crippling effects of her disease leave her with a long road ahead. "We've done car washes, and golf outings, a dinner dance - and she's still struggling. She still needs our help," said Vignola, who has taken Colleen and her family under his wing through his leadership of the fund-raising effort.

Raffles and jugs in local supermarkets and banks have also contributed to the effort, which has provided a needed financial boost to the Clarkes. For example, the money has funded a new brace for Colleen, a computer with a special touch pad, three extra days of physical therapy per week, as well as her attendance at a special school for children with muscular dystrophy. "It's taken a lot of burden off the parents. Because most of the HMOs and other regular medical plans don't cover the incidentals that are required with a kid with muscular dystrophy," said Vignola.

This year's golf outing will be held at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Club, with registration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow the outing at Kleinfelders Forest Inn on Forest Avenue in Massapequa. The cost of the full day event is $160 per person or $600 per foursome, and includes full breakfast, lunch, dinner, open bar and prizes. For those who wish to join the group for dinner only, the price is $50. Sponsorships ranging from $100 to $1500 are also available.

For further information about this and other ways to help, one may contact Vignola at 420-7440, or Paula A. Sheppard, CPA, treasurer of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, at 364-9625.

Expressing a deep connection to Colleen, her family, and her plight, Vignola emphatically encouraged community participation in the golf outing. "We're in touch all the time...I'm sort of part of the family. It's a great family. They're right here in North Massapequa, and I'm looking forward to a big turnout. We need golfers. We need hole sponsors," he said, adding, "Anyone who would like to donate something, that's great."