A special Cajun feast

Many disabled athletes get overlooked, and Margaret Muston's tired of it.

"I want to get these athletes out there," said Muston, Special Olympics area coordinator. "I want people to meet them and realize they aren't just disabled athletes - they're great people."

Muston said the best way to get the athletes into the consciousness of the people is through the
"Ragin' Cajun" event April 5 at the Commemorative Air Force hangar.

Gladys Qualls, mother of a Special Olympian, said she's been going to "Ragin Cajun" every year since the event first started and attends to help bring money to the organization.

"The reason why I go is because it will benefit the Special Olympics," she said. "It's also a very fun function. I never miss it."

Qualls also mentioned one other reason she goes to the annual buffet.

"There's always good food, too," she said. "The event and the food just get better each year."

Furthermore, Kent McCord, an Ector County Independent School District special education coach who works at several schools, said the event also brings money for snacks and medals at tournaments.

"No matter what, Odessa would still put on Special Olympic events," he said. "It just wouldn't be as organized, and we'd have less money to work with if we didn't have the money from ‘Ragin' Cajun' and other events."

Muston said the buffet of spicy specialties is the group's most popular fund-raiser in the Permian Basin.

"This is a Mardi Gras type event where we serve shrimp, crawfish, corn on the cob and a lot of other foods associated with Mardi Gras," she said. "This is our biggest money-making event for the Special Olympics. This is the one everybody looks forward to every year."

Muston said the money doesn't only go toward Odessa athletes, but teams from Big Spring, Midland, San Angelo, Andrews, Howard County, Kermit and Monahans, also benefit from the fundraiser.

The area coordinator also said she needs cash to help recruit more teams for the area.

"Right now, we're in a growing mode," she said. "I need to go to Fort Stockton and Iraan and that costs money also. ‘Ragin' Cajun' is going to help make Special Olympics better and stronger."

Muston said there would be a performance by musical acts Vince Vance and the Valiants, an act that has been around for 36 years. The Geezers will also be playing at the event.

Muston said Vince Vance and the Valiants should give people more reason to attend the buffet.

"Everybody tries to book these guys, but we'll have them," she said. "They're very hard to book, so they should make the event even better."

WANT TO GO?

>> What: Ragin' Cajun.

>> When: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 5.

>> Where: Commemorative Air Force hangar.

>> Cost: Tickets are $35. Tickets can be ordered by calling Margaret Muston at 684-5024. They can also be purchased the day of the event at the CAF hangar.

>> Benefits: The area Special Olympics.

>> Performing: Vince Vance and the Valiants.