The third annual “Rockin’ for Respite” is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at the Legacy Theater at Phase, Alpharetta. Entertainment will be provided by 120 East, an East Cobb-based band who appeared in the recent Clint
Eastwood film “Richard Jewell.” There will be hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, dancing, prizes, and a silent auction, with all proceeds to benefit Special Needs Respite, an organization dedicated to helping parents of children with special needs get a break.

The divorce rate for parents of children with special needs has been estimated at upwards of 85% due to the financial, physical, and emotional toll that the 24/7 care for such children can take. Respite care is a way for these families to stay together, and Special Needs Respite has, since the beginning of 2018, been able to help over 200 families, amounting to over 800 hours of care. Stacy and Tom’s vision is to reach as many of the 26,000 families in metro Atlanta that have a special needs child as possible.

Special Needs Respite, a 501c3 organization, was founded in 2017 by Stacy and Tom Georges after seeing a need for a reliable, fast, and local source of fund- ing for respite care for parents of special needs children. The government programs through the state of Georgia that exist typically have waiting lists of up to 10 years due to limited funding. Since it’s local to metro Atlanta, Special Needs Respite’s application process is streamlined, with an average turnaround time of less than a month for awards. These scholarships can be used throughout the year so these parents can get a break for a simple night out or even a weekend getaway that most of us take for granted.

“Our respite care business (started in 2008) had to turn away so many families who still desperately need- ed respite, but could not afford it. So my husband and I thought, ‘why not provide a way for friends, family, and community to help them?’” shares Stacy Georges.

Tickets for the event can be purchased by going to www.specialneedsrespite.org and are $85 for a single admission, which includes two tickets good for beer or wine. Business sponsorships are also available.