Regency hosts Rock-a-thon to end Alzheimer’s

Supporting a good cause can be as easy as sitting in a chair.

Regency on Whidbey is inviting all island residents to kick back in their rocking chairs to raise money for Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The assisted living community is hosting its third annual Rock-a-thon from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. Rocking chairs donated by Habitat for Humanity will be set up in the driveway in front of Regency’s assisted living building in Oak Harbor for participants to rock in for 15 minute intervals.

The event is outdoors only to keep it COVID-19 safe. Participants will be required to mask up, and the rocking chairs will be sanitized in between uses.

Whidbey residents can sign up to rock by calling Regency at 360-279-0933, but Regency Community Relations Director Teri Mendiola said people are also welcome to just stop by.

“It’s all about having fun and enjoying each other’s company,” she said.

Music will be playing throughout the day, and Regency will be distributing purple pom-poms and other items to guests. Monetary donations will be accepted at the event all day, and all proceeds from the Rock-a-thon will go to Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The event comes ahead of the Skagit Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Sept. 18, of which Regency is a sponsor. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a nationwide campaign by the nonprofit Alzheimer’s Association to fundraise for care, support and research on the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that impacts memory and behavior. Regency on Whidbey offers memory care for those affected by this disease and other forms of dementia that make it difficult for them to care for themselves.