Rocking for a record and a reason

Green River will now be on the map with a world record, which was set in order to support a good cause.

Local members of the Sweetwater #2350 Fraternal Order of Eagles Women's Auxiliary broke a world record this past weekend, with several women taking part in a Rocking Chair Marathon. The event started Friday, May 23 and ended Sunday, May 25 after newly-appointed Madam President Robbie de Leur and auxiliary member Rebecca Brady "went the distance" and rocked for over 76 hours.

De Leur and Brady set a new Guiness World Record, rocking for 76 hours and 17 minutes, breaking the previous record of 75 hours and three minutes set in 2005. They were also helped and supported by many other auxiliary members who rocked with them, with everyone together rocking a total of 234 hours and 56 minutes collectively.

The process of getting into the record book consists of members and supporters providing evidence and statements in the form of independent verification to Guinness. One of the most frequent questions asked during the event was "what if the participants needed to use the restroom?" The answer is each participant had a stop watch and they could stop it long enough to use the restroom, come back, and restart the stopwatch with it still counting for the record. The two participants took very few restroom breaks, none lasting longer than five minutes. Several members, including Auxiliary Secretary Dottie Laquement, made a video diary of the event that can also be used as verification for the Guinness Book of World Records. The public can view that video on the Sweetwater #2350 Fraternal Order of Eagles Facebook page.

The group also posted regular updates to their Facebook during the marathon, sharing photos of the rockers and all those who came to support them. Many people rocked alongside them, played card games like Uno, and brought food and support. When asked in a comment if they slept, De Leur replied "not the two of us doing the 76 hours straight." Reaching the last 10 hours, the group posted that the rockers were "beyond exhausted," but they kept rocking until they finally not only reached but exceeded their goal with a room full of cheering supporters during Music Bingo.

In addition to breaking the world record, the real objective of the event was to raise funds for the Eagles Memorial Foundation. The Memorial Foundation offers educational and medical benefits to the children of members who have passed while serving our country or on the job, amongst many other benefits. The local F.O.E. also provides support for many local organizations like Coats for Kids and the School Lunch Program.

"Thank you for your support of our fund-raising effort," de Leur posted on Facebook during the marathon. "The recipients of support from the Memorial Foundation will be ever grateful for your contributions."

While money is still coming in and donations are still being accepted, the Rocking Chair Marathon event has already raised over $2,000 to support the foundation, according to Auxiliary Treasurer Sarina McCord.

"I don't know how they did it," McCord said of de Leur and Brady, explaining that she rocked with them for six hours to help them stay awake through the night, and even that was difficult. "They were rocking!"

McCord also pointed out that this was de Leur's first fundraiser event as auxiliary president, and was intended to be a fun event that got attention but ultimately helped support the important cause of the foundation.

"What better way to bring awareness?" McCord said.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles expressed their thanks to the community members who attended the event and all those who donated and supported the participants, including the Western Wyoming Community College Wellness Program and Mustang Athletics for donating the stopwatches. The community can still donate to the Memorial Foundation by emailing eagles2350aux@gmail.com.