Valdosta, GA - Dr. Tom Hochschild of VSU's Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice and his band The Backstreet Blazers hosted an event called "Rockin' for a Cause" on Friday, October 5th at American Legion Post 13 in Valdosta.

The goal of the band was to raise awareness about problems associated with illiteracy, and to raise funds for the Literacy Volunteer Program (LVP) of South Georgia. The LVP provides one-to-one tutoring for functionally illiterate individuals ages 16 and older.

Mayor John Gayle was in attendance and discussed how low literacy rates are associated with high unemployment levels. Altogether, the band helped raise almost $2,000 for the LVP.

The Backstreet Blazers consist of Dr. Tom Hochschild, Ashlie Bean, Mark Prain, Allison Keeler, and Terry Chitwood.