The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund is holding its 13th Annual Baskets for Ben fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 25, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Queensbury VFW Post 6196, 32 Luzerne Road, Queensbury, New York. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of gift baskets filled with items such as golf packages, lottery tickets, automotive needs, Glens Falls Symphony gift cards and resort hotel overnight stays. Auctioneer Roy Ross will lead the bidding. Guests may also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a wheelbarrow of wines by Hope Rosatti & Friends and a custom-made Adirondack firepit valued at $500.
Tickets are $20 and include admission, hot appetizers and food from local restaurants, bakery desserts, a cash bar and entertainment. All proceeds benefit the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, a 501 (c)(3) regional charitable organization. The fund is operated by volunteers and has no administrative costs.
Since 2010, the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund has been “giving kids a little lift” providing goods and services such as eyeglasses, clothing, bedding, healthy snacks, money for field trips and transportation expenses, school supplies and tutoring. The fund works with 64 schools in Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Essex Counties to determine needs. The Fund also donates household and personal care items to 12 food pantries and 27 local charities.
Ben’s Fund adopts students and families at Thanksgiving and Christmas to give gifts, food and cheer for the holidays. The Fund’s literacy program provides free books at 27 Ben’s Book Stations throughout the area. The fund’s newest initiative, Ben’s Environmental Program, encourages children to give back to their communities by joining a Clean-Up Crew. The Fund provides safety gear and tools for picking up litter along 20 miles of streets in six towns. The Fund hopes to eventually grow the program to cover 100 miles of streets and roads.
The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund was founded in honor of CPL Benjamin D. Osborn, a Lake George graduate who died during combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan while serving with the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom.
“It is our mission and hope that the values of Discipline and Pride will be encouraged and passed on through Ben’s legacy. In honoring Ben Osborn, whose selfless sacrifice and service to our country has inspired us, we wish to help by ‘Giving Kids a Little Lift.’” — Ben Osborn Memorial Fund
To purchase tickets to the Baskets for Ben fundraiser, call (518)792-4514 or email benosbornfund@gmail.com. Ben Osborn Memorial Fund volunteers will also be at the Village of Lake George Oktoberfest on Canada Street from Oct. 8 to 11, 2024, serving food and drinks.
This is truly a wonderful organization. Any way we can put a book in a child’s hands — count me in! I hope the basket donations double and the purchasing/bidding quadruples!