Best Buddies, Local Bands Rock Out for a Cause

 filled with food, music, and people willing to help a cause on Sunday, as the local chapter of Best Buddies International — Team Little Rascals — organized an all-day music jam to raise money for the organization.

From noon to 6 p.m., six bands played different genres of music ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to folk music. Acts included performances by well-known Washington, D.C. bands The Thrillbillys and The Nighthawks as well as a local high school student who goes by the name Theycallmepiano. Other acts included Billy Allen and from Nashville, Tenn., Lisa Dotolo and Daniel DeMonico.

"All of them have donated their time and talents to this event," said Dawn Sciarrino, a member of Team Little Rascals who took lead in organizing the music jam.

According to its website, Best Buddies is a “nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”

“If we didn’t have the reaching out that Best Buddies does internationally as well as locally, it would be difficult socially for them,” said Gina Latcheran, Little Rascals member and .

The Little Rascals are planning to participate in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 20. Their goal before the event is to raise $10,000 to will help the organization build internationally and open more chapters in Virginia.

The team has currently raised more than $2,200 and has planned more events before the big challenge in October.