Fundraisers Set for Local Lax Coach

OCEAN CITY- A two-day special fundraising event has been planned for this weekend to benefit a Berlin resident, surfer, lacrosse coach and builder battling a rare degenerative disease for over two years.

In 2009, Steve Falck, a local surfer and girls’ lacrosse coach, among many other attributes, was stricken with Multiple Systems Atrophy, a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease with no know treatment or cure. Among other things, Falck is a carpenter and craftsman who owned and operated Falck Construction before the onset of his debilitating disease. He and his family also own the TaDa store in the Berlin area, where his home design skills are on display.

Falck is also an avid surfer and volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation. On top of all that, he also a girls’ lacrosse coach in the area, coaching the junior varsity team at Worcester Prep and also works with the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club, touching the lives on many young players in the area.

Falck was diagnosed with MSA in 2009  and as his disease progressed, he was forced to give up Stephen Falck Construction. While he is no longer able to surf, he continues to enjoy the waves on a specialized belly board with handles designed by local shaper John Ashton. Falck has continued coach lacrosse at Worcester Prep despite his condition.

A foundation has been established in his name to provide financial support for his treatment and care. The foundation is also dedicated to raising awareness of the disorder and providing funding for research. To that end, a two-day event revolving around his love of lacrosse is planned in early March to help raise funds for the foundation.

Tomorrow, March 3, a Happy Hour with Steve event will be held at the Bonfire Restaurant in Ocean City featuring a silent auction and other fundraising activities. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Nest in Berlin or at Malibu’s Surf Shop in Ocean City. The event is scheduled from 4-7 p.m.

The following day, Sunday, March 4, the Stix for Steve Girls Lacrosse Festival will be held at the Crown Sports Center in Salisbury from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details about the happy hour event or the girls’ lacrosse tournament, visit the stephenfalckfoundation.com.