Rockin on the Chain Rocked Out for Good Cause its Second Year
by James Coulter
Joey Foley has been performing and fundraising in Polk County for nearly 40 years. So, when it came time to organize a fundraiser for special needs in Winter Haven, he was chosen to help spearhead Rockin on the Chain last year.
This year, the fundraiser proved to be bigger and better, with more than 30 musical acts over the course of three days. Of course, that such a musical event proved successful was not a surprise to the local musician.
“It has been great,” Foley said. “We have a great crowd here. Our kickoff [Friday] night was amazing. [Saturday] has been record-breaking. And we are excited about Sunday. It has always exceeded my expectations. It gets bigger and bigger each year. It is [because of] the cause itself. It is about Autism. It is about helping people in our community in Polk County, and that is why I want to be a part of it. I’m just grateful to be here.”
For the 2nd consecutive year, Rockin on the Chain drew in large crowds with live music, great food, and plenty of raffle prizes for a good cause. For three straight days, nearly 30 local bands and artists, from Joey Foley to Spankie Sadie, performed on rotating stages at Tanner’s Lakeside in Winter Haven.
Greg Gay, owner of Tanner’s Lakeside, loves being able to offer his venue for the annual fundraiser. While a man of very few words, his words were nothing short of abject praise for Rockinon the Chain.
“It is a great experience,” he said. “Love everyone involved with it. I love the cause they are supporting. So far, it is looking pretty good.”
Melanie Brown Culpepper is a philanthropist and volunteer who helps organize local fundraisers. As someone who has been with Rockin and Crawlin on the Chain for years, this year’s event more than exceeded her expectations.
“It is bigger than I ever could have imagined,” she said. “It is great. The way that everyone has come together for this is outstanding. It has been beyond even the expectations I imagined. [Saturday] has been [still] going and tomorrow it will hopefully be better.”
Aside from listening to live musical performances by local musicians, attendees could also enjoy food from food trucks, have their children play around in bounce houses and enjoy other activities, and place bets on prizes for raffles and silent and live auctions.
Bracken Smith, owner of the Brack Shack, attended to serve up his famous barbecue, including his barbecue brisket and mac and cheese eggrolls.
Smith has attended fundraisers such as this before, and he not only appreciates being able to serve great food, but also do so while supporting a great cause.
“It is a good win-win situation with us,” Smith said. “They always call on us to pitch in and help this event. That is what I love the most. Everybody loves our product. This event is top notch and fully meeting expectations. I hope everyone donates.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward a new sensory garden being constructed and installed at the Winter Haven Public Library. The Friends of the Library appeared to sell books and offer promotional material.
Victory Ridge Academy, a Lake Wales school for special needs children, which has been participating at previous fundraisers, also appeared with their school bus turned food truck.
John Straughn, who helped to found Victory Ridge Academy, and who has been involved with previous fundraisers, appreciates being involved with Rockin on the Chain. The event allows him to give back to the community and support a good cause, especially since his own son has special needs.
“We have a great crowd for Friday,” he said. “I want to help the community with special needs. It is the right thing to do. We like to give back to the community. If you saw the crowd here, it is beyond imagination.”
Jamie Bonafay has previously volunteered for On The Edge, a local organization that advocates for adaptive water skiing and other sports for children with special needs. She has since started volunteering for Rockin on the Chain. The fundraiser never disappoints, she said.
“So far, it has exceeded expectations,” she said. “We have more sponsors, more music and entertainment, we have more for people to do, and so far, it is exceeding expectations. I appreciate the sense of community, everybody coming together to support people with Autism and special needs.”
Karen McGhee Millette has been with the event since it started last year. Since then, it has grown immensely, and she has seen that growth for herself.
“We have grown upon what we built last year,” she said. “The community involvement, the enthusiasm for this event has been wonderful, amazing, with people wanting to volunteer, wanting to sponsor, wanting to donate their money and just give their time. I appreciate the community support, love, and friendship.”
