ZUNI—Although Kurt Beach, the Smithfield police officer who received a liver transplant less than two months ago, is getting better each day, there are problems other than health that he has to face — medical bills.

“And that’s one way we can help,” said Cindy Goodman, who with her husband, Billy “Butterbean,” is dedicating the proceeds from their next Beanfest to the Kurt Beach Medical Fund.

Scheduled for Saturday at their home in Zuni, the Goodmans will start the day with a motorcycle run at 10:30 a. m.

At 3 p.m., a live band will gear up for five hours of music, while visitors will be offered a huge catered meal at 4 p.m.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Cindy, noting that tickets for the meal will be $15 each and although cyclists will not be charged an entry fee, “we are asking for donations from them.

“We want to make this one of our most prosperous events,” she added.

Butterbean (no one, not even Butterbean himself, knows where the name came from) and Cindy have been staging the beanfests for about 10 to 12 years, she said.

“Then, four years ago, we decided this would be a good way to help someone in need, so we began donating our proceeds to different causes.

“We’ve helped the Zuni Presbyterian Training Homes, as well as St. Jude’s Hospital.

“We try to support those close to us. Kurt Beach is our neighbor—and that’s what neighbors do, they support each other.”

Beach, whose liver problems were caused by the hepatitis C disease he contracted in trying to save the life of a baby 20 years ago, received the transplant from an anonymous donor on April 13.

Cindy says he appears to be well on the way to recovery and will be present at the fest.

She says tickets should be purchased by today, in order to get a head count. For information, call 242-6710 after 6 p.m. 377-7811 anytime.