Clients at The Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington are gearing up for an annual fundraiser to finance programs and activities that help make their lives better.

Though one of several fundraisers held annually by the organization, the Center’s annual Rock-A-Thon is the only fundraiser in which Blind Center clients take sole ownership, according to Chip Laughinghouse, executive director of the Blind Center.

“The Rock-A-Thon is something the clients came up with,” Laughinghouse said. “They go out to friends and neighbors and get them to sponsor the rocking. They’ve been working for over a month to get donations, and they’ve done tremendous. This thing is really for the clients. This is their fundraiser.”

Laughinghouse said sponsored clients will rock in rocking chairs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday to generate funds. However, the event will also include vendors showcasing arts and crafts and other goods and services.

The Center’s gift shop, which is filled with items handmade by its clients, will have a sale where the items will be sold for reduced prices during the event, Laughinghouse said.

The Rock-A-Thon will also feature a barbecue plate sale for $7 a plate and live entertainment provided by local musicians. Also in attendance will be 98.3 The Bridge FM radio station of Chocowinity, broadcasting live from the event, according to Laughinghouse.

If not for fundraisers such as the Rock-A-Thon and the organization’s annual Dining in the Dark event, the Blind Center would not be able to offer the programs and services it does, according to Laughinghouse. With no government funding, the Blind Center is solely responsible for raising its own money to finance programs such as healthy cooking and exercise classes. Without the Blind Center, clients likely would not have the opportunity to interact with other sight-impaired people, Laughinghouse said.

“One thing I’ve noticed that’s the most important, to me, is that without The Blind Center, (clients) would stay home and a lot of them live by themselves, and they would have no interaction with others. It’s like a family here. They are able to have human interaction and get out and do things. Just to see their eyes light up and see fellow clients — it’s a family. Thank God for it because I don’t know where they’d be without having this family,” Laughinghouse said.

Laughinghouse said those unable attend the event, but would like to donate to the cause, are welcome to send donations to The Blind Center of North Carolina, P.O. Box 491, Washington, NC, 27889, Attn: Chip Laughinghouse.

The Blind Center is located at 219 N. Harvey St. in Washington. For more information, contact the Blind Center at 252-946-6208.