A football autographed by Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly is the big prize at the basket raffle fundraiser for the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County. Donations toward the football drawing can be made before or during the Friday, April 12 event at the Brocton American Legion.

Thanks to an intern’s initiative, someone is going to win a football autographed by former Buffalo Bills Jim Kelly at a fundraiser for the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County.

The basket giveaway event begins at 4 p.m. today at the Brocton American Legion, 110 W. Main St., Brocton. More than 35 baskets, prizes, and gift cards donated by local businesses and MHA supporters will be at the event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

A $20 donation receives one chance to win the football. The winner does not need to be present.

Donations can be sent in advance through the MHA’s Venmo, @mha-in-chq through Thursday; cash and checks are accepted at the MHA’s Jamestown center, 31 Water St.

The drawing for the football will be live-streamed on MHA’s Facebook page, where the winner’s name will be posted after the drawing.

All proceeds go directly to support recovery, wellness, and harm reduction services at the MHA for all of Chautauqua County.

Resources for mental health and substance use supports in Chautauqua County will be at the event from 4 to 8 p.m., including Naloxone (NARCAN) training.

To donate a giveaway item or for more information, contact event organizer Jena Vacanti at 716-467-3294 or Raffle@MHAChautauqua.org.

Vacanti is an intern at MHA through Jamestown Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Knowing the MHA has experienced funding cuts and that its work depends on grants, contracts and donations, she took it upon herself to start the fundraiser and has made it her required year-end project. Vacanti is a student of Sarah Tranum, JCC Professor/Director of OTA and MHA Board President.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder is welcome to call or stop in at the Jamestown recovery center at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water St. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hours for the north county recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle St., Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call 716-661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or Facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s dozens of groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua.org/groups.