Fredrickson benefit set to be a celebration of life

A benefit to help Cornell volunteer firefighter Justin Fredrickson, and his family, with the cost of recovery, is set to take place Saturday, April 17, from noon to 6 p.m., at Ted’s Timberlodge in Holcombe.

Fredrickson suffered a bullet wound while manning a hose on a fire call, after the heat from a structure fire caused the firearm to discharge. Fredrickson was in critical condition, and required three surgeries, but he is now on the mend.

Connie Petska, benefit organizer and future mother-inlaw of Fredrickson, says the benefit features a meal, silent auction, raffles, music and bake sale.

“Hopefully, it’s nice and I can have some of this outside,” said Petska.

Petska says almost everything for the benefit was donated.

“We’ll start the meal at noon, until we run out of food,” said Petska, adding that she doesn’t foresee running out.

The meal features chicken and pulled pork, with the fixings, including dessert. If people did not satisfy their sweet tooth, there will also be a bake sale during the benefit, with a variety of goodies to purchase.

“The fire auxiliary is taking care of it for me,” said Petska.

She says the auxiliary was originally going to bake desserts for the meal, but another organization donated four cases of cookies for that purpose.

“There’ll be raffles all throughout the day,” said Petska.

There will be 13 guns as part of a 52-card draw, as well as raffle baskets and a silent auction.

Petska says items up for grabs throughout the day, include a cooler cart, Coleman grill, crossbows, deer plot food, hotel stays, guided fishing trip, a craft basket and more. There will also be kids’ baskets. She says they will start closing out the raffle baskets at 4:30 p.m., to allow time to do the drawings before the end of the event.

“Right now, I have 75 to 80 baskets,” said Petska.

Instead of writing names beside their bids during the silent auction or on the back of raffle tickets, people will be given a number, associated with their name and phone number, to be used throughout the day, to make the process more discreet. The system will also be used to contact winners who are no longer present.

There will also be a 50/50 drawing at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

“That way, there are more options of winning,” said Petska.

Live music will be provided by the band “8 Seconds,” from 2-6 p.m.

For younger attendees, there will be face painting, paddle wheels and punch boards. Petska says there will also be a few toys and games for children to play with during the event.

Petska says bringing the benefit to fruition has been a group effort, as friends and family of her’s and Justin’s have pitched in. She says all the help preparing for the benefit has been awesome and very appreciated.

She says she will still gladly accept donations people have for the benefit, if they call her at 715-492-5421.

Petska says she is hoping to see a big crowd there to support Justin and his family.

“To me, it’s a benefit, a fundraiser, but it’s a celebration of life,” said Petska. “The man is doing good.”