Fundraiser Thursday Night for Beloved Karaoke DJ and Volunteer

With a voice that can rival Steven Tyler and an equally big personality, Tom "Tommy Anderson" entertained karaoke singers weekly at Francesca's Sports Bar.

However, several weeks ago Mountain View-resident Anderson suffered a work-related injury that has left him paralyzed from the neck down. To help with medical costs Francesca's will have a fundraiser Thursday evening at 7 p.m. for $20 per person.

I, Mountain View Patch Editor Claudia Cruz, have gotten to know Anderson, or DJ Tommy, for more than a year after first meeting him at a Chamber of Commerce Mountain View YIPEE (Young Professional) event at Francesca's. I was drawn by his good nature, professionalism and great music selection.

Because of Anderson and the regulars Thursday karaoke-ers at Francesca's, I continued to attend and eventually made new friends. Anderson became a friend too.

Throughout the year I learned about his past experience as a volunteer firefighter. Anderson also volunteers with the Fire Associates, a corps of volunteers who assist firefighters at the scene of major fires with food and other supplies.

Anderson impressed me even further when he helped Francesca's fundraise for the Alisa Ann Rush Burn Foundation Relay, which the Mountain View Fire Department participates in annually. 

Then I bumped into him at the scene of a two-alarm fire where Anderson went to snap photos of firefighters at work for a fire fighting magazine. These photos he donated to them.

So it came as an enormous shock when Anderson, who drove large construction equipment, suffered his injury.

In fliers up at Francesca's, it says that Anderson's family is having "a really hard time trying to keep needs met while he is hospitalized and unable to work."

So this Thursday night consider helping out. Francesca's is located at 2135 Old Middlefield Way starting at 7 p.m. Cost $20.