Submitted Photo 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 legendary Buffalo Bill Jim Kelly at a fundraiser for the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA).

The basket raffle event begins at 4 p.m. Friday at the Brocton American Legion, 110 West Main St.

Over 35 baskets, prizes, and gift cards donated by local businesses and MHA supporters will be at the raffle. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

A $20 donation receives one chance to win the football. You do not need to be present to win.

Donations can be sent in advance through the MHA’s Venmo, @mha-in-chq. Through Thursday, April 11, cash and checks are accepted at the MHA’s Jamestown center, 31 Water Street.

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 support in Chautauqua County will be at the event from 4-8 p.m., including Naloxone (NARCAN) training.

To donate a raffle 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.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

The MHA commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.

The Jamestown center, at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street, is open Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 7 p.m., and Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Hours for the north county center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, closed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

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.