To celebrate 200 years of San Juan Bautista’s history, six
organizations will align Saturday, March 1 to raise funds for
disabled children with a
”
rockathon
”
and a photo opportunity with the SJB Volunteer Fire Department’s
original hook-and-ladder truck.
To celebrate 200 years of San Juan Bautista’s history, six organizations will align Saturday, March 1 to raise funds for disabled children with a “rockathon” and a photo opportunity with the SJB Volunteer Fire Department’s original hook-and-ladder truck.
Members of the Native Daughters of the Golden West Parlor 179 in San Juan Bautista will rock – in rocking chairs – with per-hour pledges going to disabled children whose families cannot afford wheelchairs, chair lifts, prostheses and other such items.
“Normally we do a walkathon, but since some of us are getting older, Valerie thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be a fun idea if some of our members were rocking instead of walking?'” said Georgana Gularte, president of Parlor 179, attributing the idea to Valerie Egland, the children’s foundation chairperson.
Supported by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, the San Juan Bautista Historical Society, the SJB Volunteer Fire Department, the Luck Library in San Juan and the recently formed Merchants Committee and SJB Chamber of Commerce, the event is expected to go on rain or shine.
“There’s a lot coming together in San Juan all on one day,” Gularte said. “We’re going to use chicken feet to direct people from place to place so they don’t miss any part of the events.”
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Native Daughters Adobe Home, coffee will be served for all participants until 2 p.m. Children are invited to the Luck Library for a story-telling session at 1 p.m.
At 11 a.m. at the Plaza Park Stable, volunteer firefighters will pose for photos with the antique fire truck. At the same time, members of the Native Daughters of the Golden West will be in rocking chairs on the porch of the Plaza Hall and at supporting businesses, many in vintage costumes, knitting and telling stories and raising money for disabled children.
On display at a noon luncheon at Jardines restaurant on Third Street will be photos dating back
to 1896 from the collections of the historical society and the fire department. Former volunteer firefighters and their families are urged to attend.
Photo displays featuring women of San Juan Bautista and California in celebration of Women’s History Month will be located in the Plaza Hotel and at the Galeria Tonantzin.
“One of our goals is to honor pioneers, especially mothers,” Gularte said.
In the past, Parlor 179 has led the state in its efforts to fund the needs of disabled children. Last year, the group raised $800.
For more information, call the Native Daughters of the Golden West Parlor 179 at 623-4634.
