Music was an important part of Georgiann Rose’s relationship with her mother after Alzheimer’s took her memory away.
While she didn’t know any of the words, when Rose and her brother Mel would visit her and play music, there would be periods where she would tap her foot and shrug her shoulder along with the beat – a sign that even though she didn’t remember the lyrics, she never forgot the tune.
And Music for Alzheimer’s was born out of that experience.
In the three years since Rose and her brother formed the organization to collect new and used CDs and bring them to various care facilities throughout Manteca, Ripon and even Modesto, the popularity of the program and the impact of the effort has grown by leaps and bounds – going from just 72 CDs the first year to more than 2,200 last year.
On Saturday, the organization is hosting it’s first annual community event – Rockin’ To The 50s – at the MRPS Hall to raise money that will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
The money, Rose said, will be donated to the organization for research purposes.
“When we started collecting the CDs we started talking with people and could tell that they had been touched by the disease, and we began listening to their stories as we worked towards coming up with a way to continue this work,” Rose said. “This seemed like a natural progression, and hopefully we’ll be able to raise some money that can make a difference in the lives of the people that it affects.”
The $30 tickets include food, and no-host cocktails will be available when the doors open at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., popular Northern California comedian Jason Resler will be on hand to perform his unique and hilarious style of comedy. Manteca comedian Chris Teicheira will serve as the event emcee, and will carry the night into the next morning with a live auction, raffle, and dance from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by visiting Hi-Five Nutrition (1325 W. Yosemite Ave.) or Progressive Designs (243 N. Maple Ave.) during their respective business hours. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door for those who are unable to make it to the event.
For additional information contact Rose at 209.607.1602.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
