Swartz Creek Women’s Club held a Rock-A-Thon on July 21. Photo provided SWARTZ CREEK — The GFWC Swartz Creek Women’s Club held a local fundraiser, Rock-A-Thon, on July 21 in downtown Swartz Creek to raise money for the police dog, Ike, who belongs to the Swartz Creek Police Department.

The event featured 13 Women’s Club members rocking continuously in 5 rocking chairs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. next door to Assenmacher’s Bicycle Shop on Miller Road.

The Women’s Club put up a tent with carpets, their rockers and ceramic dogs at the event site and rocked away for a total of 35 combined hours. In all, the women raised over $1,700 for Ike.

“We had rockers going all day. It was just awesome,” said Boots Abrams, the president of the GFWC Swartz Creek Women’s Club. “It was a lot of fun, and we had a real good time.”

The fundraiser received funds from nine sponsors, as well as received more than $500 in donations from people passing by the rocking women on the day of the event.

The sponsors were Fidelity National Title, Mike Majeske, Mass Transportation Authority, Bueche Foods, Mildred Tinker DDS, New Frontier Veterinary Clinic, I Can Fix That, Going Postal and BN&L Automotive.

The money raised will go towards the cost of caring for Ike, including veterinary bills, dog handling fees, equipment and other necessary costs for the care of the animal.

The Women’s Club will present the check to Swartz Creek Police Chief Rick Clolinger and Ike’s handler, Swartz Creek police officer Nick Paul, at the next Swartz Creek City Council meeting on Aug. 6.

Ike has been with the police department since 2007 and is cross-trained in narcotics, tracking and biting. Therefore, the dog is often used to track suspects and missing people and to conduct drug searches of people, schools and building, as well as assist in the apprehension of suspects.

“The dog is a major asset to the police department and the community. It is one of the best dogs in the county,”