Laci Benifit Oct 11, 2008

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Laci Peterson's mom recruits celebrities for benefit
08/19/2008


Job description: Call celebrities. Talk them into leaving Hollywood or New York for an exotic working trip to Modesto. For no pay.

Laci Peterson's mother landed the job without applying. She's the boss, after all. Plus, she might be the only person in Modesto who can get CNN's Larry King on the phone with minimal effort.

"It was a little nerve-wracking," Sharon Rocha said about the October fund-raiser she's arranging to bring in money for the Laci and Conner Search and Rescue Fund.

"I just called and said, 'Hi, Larry. This is Sharon Rocha,' and asked if he would emcee it. He said yes, agreed to it immediately. It shocked me."

Rocha then worked down a phone list of comedy acts suggested by her committee, which has labored since January developing "Laughing for Laci," scheduled for Oct. 11 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. It didn't take long to land TV improv experts Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood and stand-up comic Wendy Liebman.

Rocha acknowledges the dichotomy of a night of laughter springing from tragedy. Her daughter was 27 years old and eight months pregnant with her first child when murdered, her body dumped in San Francisco Bay.

Thousands of volunteers joined an army of officers searching for the pretty substitute teacher, without success. The remains of mother and unborn son washed ashore nearly four months later. Scott Peterson arrived on death row in March 2005, where he awaits appeals.

Rocha has appeared on "Larry King Live" several times, discussing the case.

"(The comedy night) is because of what happened, but the event is going to be fun," Rocha said. "There will be nothing negative, depressing or anything to make anybody sad.

"Laci was upbeat. She loved to laugh and loved to make other people laugh. She had that kind of infectious giggle that makes you laugh when you don't even know what you're laughing about. Laci would have really enjoyed this."

Rocha established the fund in December 2005 with proceeds from her national best seller, "For Laci." Since then, the fund has provided $191,000 in grants to 37 search-and-rescue organizations in several states.

"But there are a lot more out there" needing help, Rocha said. Fund-raisers such as "Laughing for Laci" infuse the fund with money, allowing her awards committee to hand out more grants.

Callers from as far away as Canada and Boston booked tickets soon after news broke of the event, Rocha said. Tickets are $100 each, or $150 for the show and preshow wine and hors d'oeuvres reception. As of Friday, the event had attracted 14 sponsors paying $500 to $5,000.

Rocha's committee took the rare step of booking both of the Gallo center's theaters, the center confirmed Monday.

Supporters say they hope the comedy night will become an annual event, Rocha said

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Remembering Laci With Laughter
Fundraiser Aimed At Helping Families Find Missing Loved Ones

September 24, 2008

More than five years after Laci Peterson's death, her mother, Sharon Rocha, continues to keep a promise she made to her beloved daughter -- justice for her and her unborn child.

Rocha is doing all she can to help families in need by tapping into one of Laci's most well-known traits: laughter. The goal is to help support other search-and-rescue efforts.

Rocha has organized a comedy show called Laughing For Laci, which is aimed at raising much-needed search and rescue funds.

"I loved the idea of doing that. I thought, 'that's great.' It's uplifting, it's light and Laci loved to laugh. Laci was a comedian. Of course, I had more fun laughing at her," Rocha said, with a smile.

Rocha knows the heartache of looking for a missing loved one as she endured nearly four months before searchers found her murdered pregnant daughter.

"I honestly don't know how people survive who don't know where their loved one is," Rocha said. "I just feel everybody needs to be found and taken back to their loved ones whether it's search and rescue or search and recovery. Everybody needs to go home."


Her son-in-law, Scott Peterson, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2004. Rocha and her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson and a civil trial is set to start soon.

"It's not about the money. It's about taking responsibility for his actions. You never know, down the road something comes up. But he should still be held accountable for what he did," Rocha said.

Scott Peterson still insists he's innocent. He even has a Web page that includes photos of himself and Laci together.

Rocha said she wishes Peterson would just admit he killed his wife and unborn son.

"I'd love to hear him admit it. I think anybody would when you know they did it and you know they're responsible for it," Rocha said.

But Rocha says she tries not to think too much about Peterson.

"As far as I'm concerned, Scott died when he killed Laci. The person I knew doesn't exist anymore," Rocha said.

Instead, she focuses on Laci. Rocha thinks her daughter would be shocked at all the attention her story has drawn.

And although the memory of her daughter makes her smile sometimes, Rocha says her grief will never fade.

"It doesn't go away. It never goes away. You don't forget, you don't move on. It's always there. It's just different."

Laughing For Laci takes place Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Gallo Center For The Arts in Modesto.

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Larry King To Host Benefit For Laci Peterson Fund
Oct. 11, 2008

MODESTO (CBS13) ¯ Larry King is coming to the Valley this weekend to host a comedy show called "Laughing for Laci."

The money will benefit the "Laci and Conner Peterson Search and Rescue Fund" which helps fund volunteer rescue teams.

The comedy show is being held Saturday night at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto.

Laughing for Laci
Hosted by Larry King
Saturday
8pm
Gallo Center for the Arts
1000 I St., Modesto
877.488.3380

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Celebrities Help Raise Cash For Laci Peterson Fund
Oct. 12, 2008

¯ Celebrities and comedians came to Modesto Saturday night to help raise money for a non-profit group established in the name of Laci and Conner Peterson.

"Laughing For Laci" was organized by Laci Peterson's mother, who founded the Laci and Connor Search And Rescue Fund. The organization has raised nearly $200,000 and given money to 37 organizations in 10 different states.

"I decided on search and rescue when I learned that… all the people with search and rescue are volunteers," said Sharon Rocha, Laci's mother. "They're not paid for it."

Saturday's event at Modesto's Gala Center was by far the organization's biggest fundraiser. Hosted by Larry King, the event featured performances from comedians such as Colin & Brad from "Whose Line Is It Anyways?"

"I couldn't help but say yes," Larry King told CBS13. "That famous picture of her is laughing, and if we don't have laughter, boy we don't have much."

Laci's family says that she loved comedy, and felt it would be fitting to honor her with a comedy show.

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Laci Peterson Remembered at Charity Event
13-Oct-2008

Nearly six years after the life of Laci Peterson and her unborn child was taken, a charity event in her hometown of Modesto, Calif. focused on laughter.

Proceeds from the event went towards the Laci and Connor Search and Rescue Fund. Hosting the event was CNN’s Larry King.

"I couldn't help but say yes," said King.

According to Sharon Rocha, Laci’s mother and event organizer, the event, titled Laughing for Laci, featured several comedians and was built on Laci’s sense of humor.

"I loved the idea of doing that. I thought, 'That's great.' It's uplifting, it's light and Laci loved to laugh," said Rocha to the local news.

"That famous picture of her is laughing, and if we don't have laughter, boy, we don't have much," said King.

As of now, the Laci and Connor Search and Rescue Fund has raised over $200,000. Proceeds go to 37 organizations in 10 states.

According to the charity’s Web site, "Our hope is that through providing this additional assistance, these agencies will be better prepared and equipped for search and rescue, and therefore be more successful in their efforts to safely return missing persons to their loved ones."

Laci’s husband, Scott Peterson, was given the death penalty in the March 16, 2005 trial for the December 2002 murder of Laci and their unborn child, Connor. Their remains were dumped in the San Francisco Bay. Peterson remains on death row at San Quentin State Penitentiary.

"I honestly don't know how people survive who don't know where their loved one is. I just feel everybody needs to be found and taken back to their loved ones, whether it's search and rescue or search and recovery. Everybody needs to go home," said Rocha.