Organizers of a benefit and jam to help the hundreds of families left unemployed by last month’s plant fire are still looking for volunteers and donations, even as the event approaches.

Friday, August 10, 2001

Organizers of a benefit and jam to help the hundreds of families left unemployed by last month’s plant fire are still looking for volunteers and donations, even as the event approaches.

The benefit will be held Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Albert Lea Armory from 5 to 7 p.m. A picnic-style supper including pizza, hot dogs, chips, pop and coffee will be served for a free will donation.

The Snowy River Band will hold a jam session throughout the event, and guests are welcome to bring instruments to play along with the band, said John Gold, salesman for Crossroad Farms, which is helping organize the event.

&uot;Nothing’s going to be real fancy,&uot; Gold said.

Organizers are keeping costs down in hopes of raising as much money as possible – hot dogs were donated by Schweigert, Domino’s will provide the pizza, chips will be donated by DNR Star, and buns are being donated by Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee, they said. Coke and Pepsi distributors will provide the beverages.

Area businesses have been very generous in donating for the event, they said.

&uot;So far it’s unbelievable, the support we’re getting for this,&uot; said Jean Eaton, executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.

&uot;When we started going off, telling people what we were doing, they said, ‘What can we give for a raffle?’&uot; said Jan Jerdee, Lutheran Brotherhood District Representative. &uot;So we decided to take it.&uot;

The group now has more than 60 items to raffle off the night of the benefit, but is looking for even more items to raffle off for $1 a ticket, she said.

Proceeds from the event, coordinated by the United Way of Freeborn County, Crossroads Farms, Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), and Church Offset Printing, will be matched by Lutheran Brotherhood and AAL. All funds raised will be used to provide grocery certificates to Farmland employees.

The certificates will be distributed with other food donations to Farmland employees in September, Gold said.

To volunteer for the Farmland benefit and jam, call the United Way office at 373-8670.

Financial donations for the event are being accepted at Americana National Bank in Albert Lea, Conger, Alden and Hayward. Please make checks out to &uot;Farmland Benefit.&uot;