Sock hop will raise money for the Family Resource Center

Sponsor a window, make a donation or rock the block to help the Family Resource Center this weekend.

Those wanting to help the community can break out the poodle skirts and saddle shoes or blue jeans, leather jacket and penny loafers for "Rock the Block" from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Rose Bed Inn, 611 S. Sprigg St. This event offers something for everyone with food prepared by the best local restaurants -- served by carhops for extra 1950s flavor -- plus an exhibit of antique cars, jitterbug lessons, a poodle skirt contest, door prizes and a Fonzie look-a-like contest.

"Don't forget the Dippity-Doo for that pompadour," Rose Bed Inn chef James F. Coley said. "And if you need help on your poodle skirt design, just call Phyllis at the Family Resource Center."

Rock the Block is the Rose Bed Inn's first fund-raiser for the neighboring Cape Area Family Resource Center. All the proceeds will be donated to the center, which is in need of upgraded energy efficiency.

Family Resource Center director Denise Lincoln said, "The Vincentian Marian Youth group came and helped us insulate two years ago by covering the windows with plastic. It really helped a lot. But now the old wood casings around the windows actually have panes falling out of the frames, and we need new windows for warmth and security." She said the center needs about 15 new windows.

Innkeeper Eldon G. Nattier is also a Family Resource Center board member. With the Inn and Family Resource Center being neighbors, Nattier said he knows that "it doesn't end at their corner. When the neighborhood is stronger, ... business is stronger."

The Family Resource Center tries to strengthen the neighborhood with after-school programs, children's and teen projects like day camps and hands-on learning, junior leadership training, 4-H Club and Explorer Learning Post.

But the community is not made up just of youths, so there are senior programs and family projects as well. Those offerings range from parenting seminars to computer labs with training for seniors.

"Last semester, spring 2007, we served 45 children at our after-school programs," Lincoln said. "Figures are not yet available for this semester. During the summer, our day camp had 52 kids enrolled."

Without better energy efficiency, heating bills at Family Resource Center will go up. In order to pay the bills, there will be less money for programs for the children, seniors and families of the neighborhood.

Tickets for Rock the Block are $20 per person or $30 per couple and can be charged by phone by calling the Rose Bed Inn at (866) 767-3233. For more information, call the Family Resource Center at 334-8170 or Rose Bed Inn at 332-7673.

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Family Resource Center. Window sponsorships also are available. A small window will cost $416; a large window will be $428, including installation.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133