The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund’s Baskets for Ben fundraiser will be held Oct. 29, 2021, at VFW Post #6196, 132 Luzerne Road, Queensbury, New York. This is the 10th year for the event, which is a major fundraiser for the local organization dedicated to “giving kids a little lift.”
Auctioneer Martin Seeyle will call the auction. A diversity of themed gift baskets filled with donated goods and gift cards will be on the block. This year’s baskets include golf packages, lottery tickets, a YMCA membership; a GF Symphony gift card, automotive items and overnight hotel accommodations. Grammy Award-nominated guitarist Tommy Emmanuel has donated a personally signed guitar with the authenticating photograph of the signature to the event.
Special raffles include a custom-made Adirondack Firepit forged by Monahan Metals of Glens Falls valued at $500 and a Wheelbarrow of Wines by Hope Rosati and Friends.
Related: Community gathers to support The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund
The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory of CPL. Benjamin Osborn. Osborn, a Lake George graduate, was killed in combat while serving in Kunar Province, Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. The Fund works with over 60 schools across Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Essex Counties to identify children with needs and offer support. This support includes providing electronics, clothing, bedding, food, tutoring, school supplies, eyeglasses, field trip admission costs and other goods and services. Additionally, the Fund awards 20 scholarships to qualifying graduating seniors from ten local school districts and donates household and personal care items to 12 local food pantries.
At Christmas and Thanksgiving, Ben’s Fund adopts students, families and local organizations for gift giving, food and cheer. According to Fund publicist Nadine Battaglia, more than $20,000 of food and gifts were donated to local children and families during the 2019 holiday season. The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund also focuses on literacy by providing books for children at 25 Ben’s Book Stations throughout the area. Another Fund initiative provides personal hygiene kits for pre-teens.
Admission to the 2021 Baskets for Ben event is $20, which includes entrance to the auction, appetizers, desserts, door prizes and entertainment. Doors open at 4 p.m. allowing attendees to preview auction items and purchase raffle tickets. The live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. Successful bidders may pay for their purchases with credit or debit cards, PayPal, personal checks or cash.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (518)792-4514 or emailing benosbornfund@gmail.com. The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund is a regional non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Feature photo: Auctioneer takes bids on a basket at the 2019 Baskets for Ben fundraiser. The 2021 Baskets for Ben will be held at VFW Post #6196, 132 Luzerne Road, Queensbury.
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