Annual Rock-A-Thon “rocks” Alzheimer’s awareness

Are you ready to rock? No, not that rock.

Morada Lawton’s annual Rock-A-Thon is a fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer’s Association, where people rock in rocking chairs for donations or pledges. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at 3610 SE Huntington Circle.

Micah Harper, Executive Director of Morada Lawton, said the fundraiser goes with the summer solstice, also known as the longest day.

“It’s meant to represent the long days of caregiving that families have whenever they are caring for their loved one with a dementia diagnosis like Alzheimer’s,” Harper said.

Harper said the event brings awareness to the disease and the dilemmas families and caregivers go through with their loved ones.

“What we find with people that have dementia, we have a tendency to talk about dementia-related behaviors, like sundowning or wandering,” Harper said. “There’s increased agitation, there can be combativeness. It takes a lot to be a caregiver. This day really helps us signify what caregivers and families go through. It’s not just the loved one … diagnosed with the disease, it affects the entire family, their friends, [and] everybody around that person.”

Harper said they partner with the Alzheimer’s Association due to their work with Memory Care services at Morada.

“It allows us to give back to the community and partner with the Alzheimer’s Association by raising donations,” Harper said. “It’s just a day of awareness.”

Harper said they have different “rockers” coming to the event, all with different time slots.

“We’re hoping that each rocker raises $100,” Harper said. “They’re going to come in, sit in a rocking chair, and rock for those donations. Our goal is $1,600. That’s basically $100 an hour for each hour of sunlight.”

Harper said anyone interested in participating can contact the center.

“If they want to rock in memory of somebody, they can come out and make their donation or get their sponsorships and we’d be happy to have them,” Harper said.

Harper said, along with the Rock-A-Thon, they are kicking off their Stamp Out ALZ envelope fundraiser.

“We have envelopes that are labeled from $1 to $100,” Harper said. “You just choose an envelope and give that amount. In some of those envelopes, there are going to be prizes from businesses, like gift certificates and things like that.”

The event is free and open to the public. Harper said they are encouraging volunteers to come out and “rock.” All donations are appreciated in all amounts.

For more information, go to Morada Lawton’s Facebook page or call the office at (580) 353-1190.