When Denis Craine moved to East Hampton nearly 20 years ago, he joined the social activists who every summer hand out fliers and literature to celebrities and tourists, trying to get them interested in local causes.

He never guessed he would become one of them.

Craine, 55, a former wilderness tour guide, has Lou Gehrig's disease, a debilitating disease that has left him in a wheelchair. On Aug. 21, the community that he has served plans to hold a benefit concert featuring the popular singers Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow and Garland Jeffreys, who has known Craine for years, as well as several surprise guests. The proceeds will be used to help pay for Craine's medical care and living expenses for him, his wife, Lisa and their five children.

The idea of a big benefit concert took shape about three weeks ago. The East Hampton School District offered its soccer field - big enough to hold 3,000 people. Arrangements are being made for a shuttle bus from the East Hampton village parking lot to help reduce traffic.

Volunteers have been offering to help with security and for the clean-up afterward.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday. The cost is $50 for general admission and $250 for the VIP tent, which has reserved seating and catering. There will also be $30 tickets available for East Hampton High School students.

Craine says he's optimistic. "There's no sign on the horizon for a cure ... but there is hope. We take this one day at a time. Maybe we'll get a break."

He also said he's not ready to think about the future.

Instead, at a news conference yesterday in the auditorium of East Hampton High School, he spoke of the scores of people who have helped him since he developed the tremors that were the first sign of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis about three years ago.

Jeffreys said he met Craine about 10 years ago, in Amagansett when Craine handed him a brochure. Over the summers, Jeffreys kept coming back to East Hampton, and eventually got to know Craine and his family.

Then, last year, as Craine's symptoms worsened, Jeffreys spent more time with him, even holding a hastily put-together fund-raiser that raised about $20,000.

Friends of Craine have formed a "Share the Care" group, about 60 volunteers who regularly perform small services for his family - helping with the shopping or house cleaning, or just taking the children to the movies on a Saturday.

"Just as he took care of us and taught us things, it's our turn," said Laura Anker, an East Hampton school board member.

For now, Craine said, he spends many days at home, sitting in the sun and looking through the front screen door, waiting to see who will be coming up the path. "I'm a pretty lucky guy," he said.

A Dennis Craine Hotline is being set up with more information on the concert, and should be in service by tomorrow. The number is 516-322-1515.