By Nancy Henry

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 6:18 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The CAHS Patriots have begun making plans for their biggest fundraiser of the year — the annual auction.

The auction, which features items from celebrities, local businesses and more, will be held on May 2 in the Connellsville Elks.

The preview will be held at 5:30 p.m., with the auction starting at 6 p.m.

CAHS Patriots founder and school sponsor Linda Shearer said more than 1,100 letters seeking items for the auction were mailed to celebrities.

One of the prizes received so far is a one-week dream vacation in a condo in Panama City Beach.

“The highest bid winner of the vacation last year had a fabulous time on the trip,” Shearer said.

Other prizes received were books donated by former Vice President Dick Cheney and Col. Danny McKnight, items from David Letterman of the Late Show and four tickets to Disney World.

Solicitation of items from local businesses will begin soon. Businesses or artisans wishing to donate should contact Shearer.

“I will arrange pickup and gladly provide gift-in-kind receipts for tax-deductible purposes after the auction. Items should be donated by April 20 to be included in advertisements,” she added.

Shearer serves as the Patriots' board secretary.

The Patriots are getting ready to send out more care packages.

Volunteers will meet on March 13 in the National Guard Readiness Center in Connellsville Township to package the mailings to troops to arrive for Easter.

“We expect to assemble 100 to 150. We are always collecting and purchasing things to include. Toiletries, snacks, entertainment and many more items are included,” Shearer said.

Anyone wishing to donate should contact Shearer via email or by calling or leaving a message at 724-322-1494.

Monetary donations are always accepted and appreciated.

The mailing address is CAHS Patriots Inc., 201 Falcon Drive, Connellsville, PA 15425.

Students and the public often come up with unique ideas of things to include in each mailing, Shearer said. The Patriots mail at least three times a year, four or five times if money permits.

CAHS Patriots participate in community events as a way to raise funds.

Earlier this month, they set up and sold donated items to raise money at the Presbyterian Church Indoor Flea Market. They may set up at the Connellsville Community Center flea markets on March 2 and April 6. They participated in the Geranium and Mum festivals last year and at the Carnegie Free Library as part of It's A Connellsville Christmas.

The nonprofit group is continually looking for names of those deployed in order that it may send a package.

“We have several names, one in particular was supported by us in 2005, this is his fourth tour,” Shearer said.

Shearer encourages veterans who attended or graduated from Connellsville Joint, Dunbar Township or Connellsville Area, and who are not listed on www.connellsvilleareaveterans.com, to contact her with their information so she can create a page for them.

The group's website, www.cahspatriots.com, is under construction but Shearer said it is very informative. She encourages those interested to visit the page to see what the Patriots has accomplished over the years.

Nancy Henry is a freelance writer.

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