Donna:
Donna cherishes her relationship with God, and feels honored that He has put within her a love for the Deaf and their language. She worked as a freelance interpreter, and has vast experience in working as an interpreter in the public school system, as well as using her skills in various deaf ministries. As Proverbs 3:5-6 states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." She does, and He has directed her to this exciting ministry, Donna's sincere desire is that her witness, as well as the beauty of sign language, will cause others to seek and draw closer to Him.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
HALLELUJAH!
Eyes twinkling, smile broad and bright, arms lifted, now whole and healthy, she twirls and sways to heavenly songs. Our darling Elizabeth is now dancing in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
July 18, 1959 - July 29, 2009
JESSICA:
Dance first became part of Jessica’s life when she was 5 years old, and it has never stopped bringing her joy since! She has received instruction over the past 13 years from Sara Lynn Studio of Dance, Twinkle Toes Academy of Dance, Kim Cole’s Dance Studio, and also from Nicole Cote` School of Dance . Her training has been predominately in Lyrical dance. Within the past few years opportunities have arose for Jessica to use dance as a form of worship. She was able to be a member of Cornerstone II and practice with the Cornerstone Dance Company where she learned a great deal of choreography. She has also participated in the performance of Kyrie with Living Stones School of the Arts for Ministry & Worship Inc, as well as performing in her local church. Jessica chooses to follow Psalms 149, it states: “Praise His name in the dance.” Jessica is honored to have the opportunity to minister with Rock the Silence, and is excited to see what God has in store.
Dear Rock the Silence Ministry Partners,
The Bible tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Rock the Silence has existed for twenty-five years with a ministry to the deaf and to educate about the deaf culture. We did our first major concert in the Melbourne Square Mall in Melbourne Florida in December of 1999. After twenty-five years, we have prayerfully come to the belief that God is telling us that it is time for Rock the Silence to end its ministry.
Modern technology and how it continues to advance has been a great asset to the deaf community. They have computers, laptops, iPads, e-mails/text messaging & Face Time/Zoom; in addition, an interpreter can show up on their TV screen when a hearing person calls or they can do face-to-face on TV with a deaf person. Amazing times for the deaf to be more in communication with others!
During COVID, we were unable to hold concerts or sign language classes because many places where we usually minister were closed to outside world. This put Rock the Silence in a ‘silent’ mode, so to speak. When things opened up there weren’t as many opportunities to have concerts and sign classes. We did our best to continue forward by tutoring individuals in sign language and having a few concerts here and there. Also, with the great advancements in technology, there is less need for in-person sign classes. Now people can google anything they want to know or learn and sit at home while doing so.
We believe we have run a good race and have given it our all for the past twenty-five years. We have other visions that would not actually fall under the mission statement of Rock the Silence. Some of our vision that we have accomplished over the years has been feeding people from the community on Thanksgiving Day with a free sit-down dinner, outreaches to the homeless with clothing, concerts, a sit-down meal and more, and going out on cold nights with hand warmers, hats, socks and blankets.
Many of you may know or remember that we have a vision for our own building for a coffee house and to make available a venue where other groups can minister to the community around us. We have a 501C-3 nonprofit called Rock the Town Café to implement this vision. We are seeking God as we transition away from the vision of Rock the Silence to focus on Rock the Town Café, and to obtain a building either by purchase or partnering. If we have a building of our own with a kitchen it would be wonderful to start providing meals on Thanksgiving Day and to offer other events to reach people who need Jesus. We have enjoyed touching lives through sign language and music and will continue to reach the community one cup at a time through Rock the Town Café!
As of March 31, 2025, Rock the Silence will terminate its 501C-3 non-profit and, thus, end its ministry status. Therefore, we will be unable to accept donations after that. However, our Rock the Town Café non-profit is still active as described above. If you want to know about it, give us a call and we will share our vision with you. You may wish to support that ministry. We would love to continue this journey with you and perhaps God will use you in more ways in the days ahead with us. We know as we make this change, it will be uncomfortable and a big step of faith for us and we would greatly appreciate your prayers!
You have been a blessing to Rock the Silence and us as individuals over the years. Please know that we have been praying for you every day! We pray God’s richest blessings on you and your loved ones. We thank you for your partnership.
In His Service,
Donna Hall and Lisa Ottalagano
And the Rock the Silence Team
