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Fundraiser Offers Chance To ‘Own A Part Of The Town’

The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and The Estuary have teamed up to auction off 25 custom painted rocking chairs with proceeds going to the supporting programming from the two entities.

From Monday, May 16 to Wednesday, June 1, 25 rocking chairs will be displayed at participating locations around Old Saybook as part of an event called Saybrook Rocks. The rockers will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds going to The Estuary (formerly known as the Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc.) and the chamber’s programs for businesses and the community. Guilford Savings Bank is the sponsor for the event.

Chairs can be viewed and bids placed at www.saybrookrocks.com. Chairs will be found at the Monkey Farm Café, Saybrook Home, Total Design Source, Jazzercise, pieces, The Estuary, Kur Recovery Spa, Cartier Optical, Lisa Ludwig Art, The Kate, The Fire Department, Youth & Family services, Saybrook Point Resort and Marina, Bongo Ron’s, Wm. Raveis, the chamber, Sweet Luna’s, Acton Public Library, Pearls and Plaid, The Estuary, Luigi’s, and Paradise Wine.

Chamber Executive Director Judy Sullivan said that the chairs are fully sized porch rockers that “are fun and useful. The money raised will benefit programs for the seniors and then the businesses in town through the chamber. It’s a win-win all around.”

Sullivan said that the organizers hope that people will travel to the different locations to see the chairs while they’re on display.

“This is a good way to promote Old Saybrook. We hope it’ll bring people in to visit the shops and see the chairs,” said Sullivan.

The chairs are decorated with different themes, some of which include Old Saybrook landmarks, quotes from Katherine Hepburn, or floral patterns.

The idea to do an event combining art and fundraising was first hatched last year.

“It actually started last year with some volunteers and myself having some conversations at the art show,” Sullivan recalled. The chairs were then delivered in January.

“We went out to businesses and organizations and asked if they had an interest in participating, and within 10 days all the chairs were gone,” said Sullivan.

“It’s a fun thing to do and a fun reason to come to Old Saybrook. And then if you bid on the chairs, it’s like you own a piece of the town,” said Sullivan.