GULF SHORES, Ala., - The first Polka Party to honor the memory of Michele Prockup brought in more than $4,000 to benefit the programs at Catholic Social Services (CSS). Organizers hope to make it an annual event.

Prockup, CSS past director, passed away last year after a long battle with cancer. The event was in the brand new Parish Center at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Gulf Shores. 

Tim Mullek won the raffle prize that included approximately $500 in gift cards to area restaurants including Cobalt, Compleat Angler Restaurant, Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, Crazy Horse Café and Duck’s Diner.

Also, Ginny Lane Restaurant, Hazel’s Family Seafood Restaurant, King Neptune’s Seafood, Kitty’s Kafe, Lillian’s Café, Nolan’s Restaurant and Lounge, Original Oyster House, Shrimp Basket, Villaggio Grill, Wolf Bay Lodge and Zen Restaurant.

The dance floor was crowded with couples dancing to polka music, rock and roll, the Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey. Music was provided by Randy Albright and his wife/vocalist Laurie. The Albrights will be remembered for their “Music Celebration of Mary” last year in Orange Beach.

Randy was adopted by a Michigan Polish family, so he has been playing polka music most of his life, starting with a Polka Band when he was in his teens.

The Gulf Shores High School students in the Culinary Club of the Career Academy supplied snacks and sandwiches and Philip Dembowski, a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Robertsdale, offered Hunter’s Stew and cabbage rolls in the Polish tradition. Tommy Cain of Cain’s Piggly Wiggly provided the liquid refreshment.

Thanks to Gold Sponsors Terry and Bob Barnett and Our Lady of the Gulf Altar Society; Silver Sponsors Norm and Jeanne Franz, Leonard Kaiser, Knights of Columbus Council #12765, Mary Ann and Leon Royer and St. Thomas by-the-Sea Altar Society. Bronze Sponsors are Shirley and Richard Colin, Cordy Drollinger, Kitty’s Kafe, and Judie and Sissy Flanigan in memory of Matt Flanigan.

In the last year of her life, Michele Prockup provided guidance in many different ways to those in need in Baldwin County. Approximately 1,900 families were served, with 1,012 receiving food and 810 who received assistance to pay utility bills.

CSS assisted 57 families with medical bills, provided 325 children with new school supplies and uniforms and 529 families received turkeys and holiday foods. She had the help of 304 volunteers who contributed 3,876 hours to help those less fortunate.

Committee members are Chairman Jeanne Franz, Terry and Bob Barnett, Ed Bushaw, Suzanne Laurier, Fr. Pat Madden, pastor of St. Patrick Church, Tommy Cain, Linda Cate Whiten and Joe and Mary Roszkowski, the hosts of the benefit Polka Party.

For information about Catholic Social Services, call 251-947-2293, visit the offices at 23010 Hwy. 59, Robertsdale, AL or the website, www.cssbaldwin.org. For a gallery of pictures from the event, visit: http://www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com/collection_4da2d9ba-80f8-11e2-a825-0019bb2963f4.html