Never let it be said that those who appreciate rock n’ roll music could care less about others. As evidence of that, the Oldies Dance Group’s Benefit Dance last fall set records once again in raising money for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland.

The dance raised $8,750 to donate to the Ronald McDonald House and sold 356 tickets in just 10 days leading up to the event at the Eagle’s Hall in Biddeford last October.

This was the 24th Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance and to date, the Oldies Dance Group has raised $124,498 on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House, which provides comfort for the families of pediatric patients and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and enables family centered care to ensure that family members are fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care.

“Our organizing committee is simply blown away by the generosity of those who attend our dances every year,” said Bruce Martin, Oldies Dance Group organizer. “We have been doing this for 17 years and are so grateful to be the biggest community fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland during that time. We cannot thank everyone who has attended the dances through the years and to all of those individuals and businesses who have shown their commitment to assisting sick children and their families served by this wonderful facility.”

Martin said many come out to the dances to listen to rock n’ roll music, dance, socialize with their friends and side benefit is that the dances support the fundraising mission of the Oldies Dance Group.

“We’ve said this for years and it’s true. People love rock n’ roll music and dancing,” he said. “And the amount of money that we’ve raised demonstrates how much people in our community value and care about their community and their neighbors.”

Businesses and individuals making donations for the October dance include Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank; Brady’s Screen Printing; Market Basket; McDonald’s; Bentley’s; Troy Wing; Sea Salt Lobster; Springvale Hardware; Copy It; Auto Zone; Eagle’s; Lew’s Service Center; Mike’s Diner; Northeast Transmission; and Val’s Scratch Kitchen.

Also donating to the dance were Michelle Parent; Cole Road Café, Chris Cadorette HVAC; Hannaford Supermarket; Ronald and Lisa Lavigne; Gorham Sand and Gravel; Bill Dodge; Artic Glacier Ice; NAPA, Sanel; Cowbell Burger; Advance Auto Parts; Sunset Bar and Grill; Tractor Supply Company; Reny’s; Community Pharmacy; Congdon’s Doughnuts; Dickinson’s Candy; Lord’s Clam Box; Bowl A Rama; Run of the Mill; 4 Generations Barber Shop; Federal Jacks; Tru Value Hardware; Allison’s Restaurant; Shaw’s; Sebago Brewery; Dairy Queen Biddeford; and Salon @ 1 High; Saco Bay Variety; HFY Entertainment; Oceanside Grill; Clam Bake Restaurant; Bob & Mikes Mini Mart; Golden Rooster; Beach Bagel; Beachway General Store; and Saco House of Pizza.

Other donations for the dance were made by Kennebunk Pizza; Longhorn Steakhouse; Ken’s Restaurant; Landry’s Old Orchard Beach; Old Colony Motel; Cape 64; Alex Pizza; Dupuis Hardware; Lucky Loggers; Subway Biddeford; George’s Italians; Bailey’s Lobster; David’s Subs; Good Day Barber; Rapid Rays; and Quiero Café.

The Oldies Dance Group also thanks the Biddeford High School Cheerleading Team and Coach Kaitlyn Cadorette for their assistance in setting up tables and chairs for the dance.

Martin said that the Rock n’ Roll Oldies Dances remain wildly popular because rock n’ roll continues to connect generations of music fans and the dance playlist includes songs that everybody knows and loves from the 1950s through the 1980s and a few other popular tunes.

“We say that it’s a great night out to have fun, listen to songs you know the words to by heart and at the same time you’re doing something to support a great cause,” Martin said. “We are always looking for committee members who want to help.”

The next Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance will be the 25th dance hosted by the Oldies Dance Group and will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 19 at the Eagle’s Hall, 57 Birch St., Biddeford. Tickets are just $10 and sell out quickly as seating is limited.

For further details, to purchase tickets or to volunteer, please call Bruce Martin at 207-284-4692.