May 31, 2010  — The Annual Walk 'N Rock took place at Raley Field on Sunday, May 30.  The event is organized by Sacramento-based Hope Productions Foundation to support local children’s charities. Hope Productions Foundation anticipates that the morning walk, combined with business sponsorships and Sunday evening’s benefit concert, starring rock legends Heart and Sammy Hagar, will raise nearly $700,000 for local children’s charities. An estimated 30,000 children in the Sacramento area will benefit from the day's activities.

“We’re heartened that so many members of our community, including several businesses, have joined together to support local children’s charities,” said Debbie Gabelich, chief executive officer of Hope Productions Foundation. “Together, we’re able to provide resources that ensure the sustainability, viability and awareness of these important charities.”

An estimated 5,000 walkers in the morning participated in the 5-K fundraiser "Walk" portion of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids.  Participating teams displayed their brightly colored shirts in hues of bright turquoise, green or tie-dye as adults and a large number of children walked from Raley Field, over Tower Bridge and around Capital Mall.   

Walkers representing 475 teams raised funds for 16 local children’s charities including: Access Leisure, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, CASA Sacramento, CCHAT Center Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School, Full Circle Treatment Center, Golden Empire Council, Boys Scouts of America, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Camp Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation, Roberts Family Development Center, Sacramento ENRICHES, Sierra Forever Families and Wind Youth Services.

But it was the evening's concert featuring artists Heart and Sammy Hagar that stole the show. Returning to the stage for their "Red Velvet Car Tour," Ann and Nancy Wilson showed a crowd of 7,000 at Raley Field why they are considered number 57 in the Top 100 List of Rock Bands. The sisters dynamic voices combined with Nancy Wilson's guitar riffs brought the crowd to their feet as they performed such classics as "Barracuda," "Never" and "Alone." They closed out with an encore performance of "What About Love," in which their background accompaniment included nearly all those in attendance. 

For most artists, Heart would be a tough act to follow, but "professional rock and roller" Sammy Hagar is no ordinary musician. With a resume that includes 11 years leading Van Halen, over 60 million records sold and writing credit to Heart's "Brigade" album, Hagar and his following of Red Heads were ready to take on Sacramento.  Hagar took to the stage with nearly 50 of his die-hard fans standing behind him and another couple thousand seated in front of him. While the audience joined him in shots of his Cabo Wabo Tequila, Hagar led his band, The Waboritas, in such classics as "I Can't Drive 55" and "Right Now."

The evening's opening act was Lara Johnston, daughter of Doobie Brothers lead singer Tom Johnston and star of MTV show Rock the Cradle. Johnston's impressive vocal range indicates this 19-year-old will be back in Sacramento to headline her own show sometime in the near future. 

Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth. Their services include training and guidance for nonprofits to improve their marketing, fundraising, partnerships and board cultivation so they may become more efficient and increase their potential for long-term sustainability. Through events such as Walk N' Rock, Walt Gray Ride for Kids, Hope in Harmony and generous business sponsorships, they have raised over $1million in contributions and in-kind donations for local children's charities.

Those wishing to support Hope Productions Foundations charities can still donate online at www.hopeproductions.org  or use their cell phone to text "HOPE" to 27722 and donate $10 for local children’s charities.

Photos by Terry Daffin.