A benefit to all
When Robbie Podskoc White passed away on Jan. 10, 2016 after nearly 9 years of battling Stage 4 colon cancer, the woman's loved ones and community refused to sit back silently as cancer continued to cause grief in their hometown.
In honor of their lost friend, the Georgia Cancer Support group, Polk County citizens, and many of White's former schoolmates banded together to put on an annual benefit concert with 100 percent of proceeds staying in Polk County for the purpose of aiding cancer patients. For the concert's second annual iteration, the bands Shelter, Party of 5ive, Pea Valley Flyers, and Whiskey Dixie played for a crowd that raised over $5,000 for Georgia Cancer Support (GCS.)
GCS is a non profit organization that helps cancer patients earning l ess t han $ 1,500 per month in total household i ncome by supplying food, prescriptions, and necessities up to $150 per quarter for those who apply.
"A big thing we do is furnish gas cards for those who apply,” said GCS co- president Judy Wiggins. "A lot of people have trouble making it to Rome (for treatment) and back, so a $100 gas card makes a big difference.”
Applicants can apply up to 4 times per year, once per quarter, and the GCS has no problem making direct contact with the patient and helping to fill out paperwork.
Support group volunteers also provide comforting services such as hospital visits, errand running, and shuttle service. Those who wish to apply can visit the GCS's website at www.gcspolk. com or call Judy Wiggins or Julie Moss at (470) 3889013.
Those interested in making a donation (money, objects, appliances) to GCS can mail donations to P. O Box 2 Rockmart, GA 30153 or contact the staff via the described email or telephone.
White, alongside a few close friends and colleagues, founded Georgia Cancer Support in October 2011.
"White grew up i n Rockmart but passed away in Milledgeville,” shared Wiggins. “Robbie really wanted to bring Georgia Cancer Support to Polk County because she considered the community home.”
After being diagnosed with cancer, White spent large amounts of time studying the disease and how it affected the lives of others.
The determined researcher quickly realized that one of the most damaging side effects of cancer was financial instability. Those diagnosed with the disease often had trouble paying rent or keeping a job; in Polk's case, many cancer patients have trouble affording the commute to Rome for treatment.
"Eventually, the group was brought to Polk and we've helped thousands of people,” said Wiggins.
For White's class of 1974 schoolmates, a concert was the go to means of bringing in benefit money. “Robby was instrumental in bringing us back together,” said Wiggins.
The concert served almost as a miniature class reunion for the group who acted on the loss of their friend.
For the band Shelter, the Aug. 19 concert was the “first time in 43 years all the original members of Shelter will have played together,” said founding member Rob Lanford.
Shelter was formed in 1970 by Darrell Brinkley, Lanford, Roy Runyon, Antony Harris, and Vernon Eaves whose original songs include Antioch Road, Midnight Jam, Build a Fire, Sister Moon, South Coast, and more. Shelter's sound is described as “Southern Rock Blues” by the band that now has a third album ( previous albums being Antioch Road Project 1 and Antioch Road Project 2) in the work's at Sound Light recording studios. Those interested in listening to Shelter can visit
www.soundcloud.com/ vernon-eaves.
Pea Valley Flyers also lent their talent and skill to the event by covering classic songs from the genres of western swing, traditional country, and 50's Boogie Woogie. “We don't have a studio, we don't rehearse, we just go at it for our personal enjoyment,” said founding member Rex Garner.
Founded by Garner, Jon Carleton, David Harper, and Steve Stewart, the band originally got its name because two members were “airplane pilot. We also happened to live on Pea Ridge Rd, so it came together” shared Garner. Pea Valley Flyers played hits s uch as “Freight Train Boogie,” “Ice Cream Man,” and “These Boots Were Made For Walking.” Those interested in the band can visit www.facebook.com/ peavalleyflyers/.
Party of 5ive is a local band that followed their slogan of playing “classic music from the past and present” during the concert by playing “Breakdown,” “Need somebody to love,” and “Angel from Montgomery.”
Headed by vocalist Julie Bell, Party of 5ive has been covering hit songs at parties, restaurants, biker rallies, and more. Those interested in the band are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/ rockmartpo5/.
Whiskey Dixie, while not acquainted with White, is a band that has been touring all over Northwest Georgia, and the southern rockers brought plenty of attention to the benefit concert. Composed of Hunter Blalock, Jacob Parker, Warren Nichols, Collin Parker, and Taylor Locklear, Whiskey Dixie is a band that “writes mostly original material, if possible,” shared Blalock. The band formed in 2014 and later independently released their first recorded eff ort, “The Southern Fix” in 2015. As written on the Whiskey Dixie website, the band's goal is to “show the world what Georgia Rock n Roll is about.” Those interested in more details about the band can visit www. whiskeydixieband.com. While the band was originally going to be filmed by VH1 for a documentary, complications arose and the film crew was unable to attend the concert.
White may have passed on, but her message lives on as too her cause of aiding cancer patients.