Teams keep chairs rocking 24 hours for Porterville Adult Day Services

They rocked all day and they rocked all night —17 rocking chairs were kept busy for 24 hours during the 6th Annual Rock-a- Thon  for Alzheimer’s held at  Porterville Adult Day Services beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. The non-profit agency’s major fundraiser helps support those who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia and their caregivers.

Held at the PADS facility, the event involved 17 teams with members from various clubs, churches and organizations. A team had from five to 25 members with the rockers continually rocking with a member or their mascot substituting for a member seated in the chair. Rules state that the chair must be filled at all times.

During the 24 hour event, entertainers provide diversion for many of the rockers, including local juggler Myron Wilcox. Various rocking chair games were played with team competition, prizes given away and movies shown.

Jim Likins, rocking for the 20Ans Club said, “It’s a great cause and loads of fun.” Gorrodon and Wendy Plaisted, sponsored by the Barn Theater group said, “ This is a great cause and everyone in the community should get behind this as this is a disease that can hit any of us.”

‘We had  224 people rocking this year with each team member signing up sponsors to pledge $5 per hour for their rocking, plus their $125 sponsorship fee,” said Cheri Taylor PADS executive director. “Our goal is to reach $15,000 to help provide respite  for PADS caregivers and I think we will make it.”

Each team had a sponsor donating $125 and team registration was $25 per person

“I think we will go over the goal as this year we have two more teams than in ‘09 and the community has gone all out in support of the event,” said Rotha Anderson, chairman of the event.

Donating food for the rockers were the Porterville Breakfast Lions Club, Starbucks, Cookie Cottage Café, Pine Street Market in Exeter, Bella Vina Farms, Frank’s Fine Pastries, All About Ice  Cream and Giovanni’s Pizzeria.

According to Margaret Hackleman, chairman of the PADS Board of Directors, and Kayla Muller, PADS program director, “All money received for this event is tax deductible and we will accept any donations from the  community to further this  much needed cause.” Donations may be sent to PADS Rock-a-thon, 227 E. Oak Street Porterville. T-shirts are also for sale for $10 each.

For further information on PADS, call Taylor at 783-9815 or-784-8467.