In the darkness of the night, during the bone chilling cold of winter, in a small building concealed in the shadows of the Fresno fairgrounds, a tiny light shown through. Even in the midst of the cold and darkness of this winter night, the light invited all people to come and enjoy themselves among the company of others, in a warm, safe, and fun environment.

As rock songs played in the background of this warehouse setting, one could faintly hear the warm laughter of others, could see the joy in the smiles of the people and a presence of togetherness and unity possessed the dwelling. Everyone, young and old, enjoyed the simple pleasure of roller-skating together on the hard cement floor, and the taste of hot chocolate still fresh on their lips.

Though this event served the people hot chocolate and holiday cheer, it also served another purpose. Fresno’s very own Rockabilly Mafia Dolls, as a benefit for the Marjaree Mason Center, hosted the Rock-N-Roll Around the Christmas Tree, Dec. 6. The Marjaree Mason Center’s goal is to help put an end to domestic violence (violence in the home) and to help provide housing, legal support services and counseling.

Vanessa Garcia, with the Rockabilly Mafia Dolls, helped put on the benefit for the Marjaree Mason Center as a way of saying thank you for their aid to the community.

“The Marjaree Mason Center event holds really near and dear to most of our hearts,” Garcia said. “The Marjaree Mason Center has actually helped some of the women in the Mafia Dolls, so this our way of giving back to them.”

This idea of family fun and togetherness, with the purpose of helping those who cannot help themselves, has the potential of becoming a holiday tradition here in Fresno. Hopefully we will all see the return of the Rockabilly Mafia Dolls and their Rock-N-Roll Christmas next year and for years to come.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @RRoggenstein. Follow The Feather via Twitter @thefeather, Instagram @thefeatheronline and Facebook @thefeatheronline.

For more news, read the Dec. 18 article, BREAKING: CSPA names Feather Crown Finalist.