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http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_821a5400-a795-5c4b-82eb-9ba704f1bd3f.html

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_1208e762-8d9a-528d-b689-8125811f643f.html

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_e02b58ac-b0d2-11e2-98de-001a4bcf887a.html

Battle of the Bands is Coming!

CALLING ALL BANDS!

It's that time of year again when we start planning for our Annual Battle of the Bands.
This year the Battle of the Bands is August 8, 2013. We are in the process of beginning to register bands.  If you are interested in competing this year, please click here to print a registration form, fill it out and mail it to The ROCK Youth Center at PO Box 2143, Midland, MI 48641 or drop it off at 2300 E. Gordonville Rd., Midland along with your registration fee.  We will feature 8 bands this year.  First prize is $500; Second Prize $300 and Third Prize is $200.  We will also give away to Judges Choice awards of $50 each to individual Outstanding Musicians.  ROCK The Tridge/Battle of the Bands is sponsored by YP.com and is brought to you by The ROCK Youth Center and Shelterhouse.  Timbrel and Harp Productions will be doing the sound again
this year.
Watch for details in the months to come!

ROCK ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER – Stone Soup anyone?

The students share with guests what they get from The ROCK from the stage during Beverlee Wenzel, ROCK Executive Director’s comments.

Guests at The ROCK Youth Center’s 2013 Annual Fundraising Dinner experienced a Stone Soup fundraising event. On the evening of March 7 at The Great Hall in Midland, ROCK students, volunteers, board and staff welcomed 368 guests to the annual celebration. 

The room was elegantly decorated to portray the theme of Stone Soup through soup kettles and earth tone accents.  The dinner of course began with a stone soup of root vegetables.

According to Beverlee Wenzel, “The Stone Soup theme seemed perfect actually. It celebrates our grass roots beginning. The ROCK really started as the soldier carrying the pot and stone having nothing but hope, potential and a big dream. Every day, almost literally I am fascinated by and thankful for the people who bring ingredients to the pot, for the sole purpose of feeding a hungry village. This combined effort gives our teens what they need to be healthy and happy and eventually grow successfully into adulthood. The story, told in many ways and in many cultures, strongly demonstrates how acts large or small come together to meet a community’s needs.”

 The purpose of The ROCK Annual Dinner is to both educate and raise funds.  Guests were treated to videos created by ROCK students.  Ali Provow shared her story about first coming to The ROCK, Kim Bolesky produced a video on making friends and finding her way, and Tanner Kelsey told of the positive difference that the Exposure program made in his life. 

Judge Donna T. Morris, Retired served as the dinner’s Honorary Chairperson. Morris brings a life time commitment to serving youth and has been a supporter of The ROCK from its conception.

Charlie Schwedler, Bullock Creek Superintendent, was a guest speaker and he shared one of his favorite quotes that reminds him of the work done at The ROCK, “Every Drop of Water Shapes a Stone”.   He commented on how many people it takes to make a positive difference in the lives of youth. Reverend Wally Mayton opened and closed the evening as he shared his passion for the work of The ROCK.

Each year at The ROCK Youth Center's Annual Fundraising dinner three awards are given out; the Plante Heart of Service award which goes to our volunteer of the year, The ROCK Outstanding Student, and The Friend of The ROCK.

The Plante Heart of Service award went to Ms. Rebecca Cox. Rebecca is an incredibly strong youth advocate for our community. She has a busy schedule, a family, and a large company to run plus puts her passion for teens into motion. For 2 years she has been the lead Exposure facilitator with the Coleman 8th grade class to help them plan their future and learn to make good choices. Ms. Cox dinner comments included “Thank you to the ROCK for giving me the opportunity to be part of the great work you do. I can’t think of a better way to spend my time and money. Because, even though we aren’t curing cancer or ending world hunger, we are creating the next generation that might. “

The Outstanding Student award went to Chase Brenske.  Chase is a senior at Bullock Creek and has been a part of The ROCK since he was in 6th grade. Chase works on projects, cleans, paints, is actively involved, and currently serves as the president for The ROCK Student Advisory Council. According to Chase, "The ROCK has been a big part of my life and I hope that other kids get to have the same experience that I did at The ROCK".

The Friend of The ROCK award went to Ms. Rhonda Erickson of YP, formerly AT&T Advertising Solutions. YP has financially supported The ROCK Battle of the Bands for many years. Their support allows The ROCK and Shelterhouse to bring this safe and family friendly event to Midland for no charge to our community. AT&T - YP.com have also provided The ROCK with a strong advertising presence in the area phone book and yellow pages. According to Rhonda, "As a mother of five children and 5 grandchildren, I truly believe in the mission of THE ROCK and its commitment to our future. Our Youth.  We have enjoyed participating in the Battle of the Bands/Rock the Tridge." 

 So far the dinner has raised over $50,000.00 and is still receiving donations.  The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation will match all individual donations received 2 to 1 this year, tripling the effectiveness of each dollar.  An anonymous donor at the dinner announced he would give .25 cents per each dollar given up to $100,000.00. That's potentially another $25,000 for The ROCK.