Jerry and Helen Gaye of Osceola are presenting the 10th Annual Homeless Animal Benefit next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19 at the Howard S. Lines Knoxville VFW Post 6753 at 703 Boatman Road, Knoxville, Pa. 16928.

All proceeds from this year’s benefit will be donated to the Heading Home Center at 725 Gee Road, Tioga, PA 16946 operated by Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, Inc., a volunteer-based, non-profit organization founded in 2001 in Tioga County.

“The Heading Home Center has guaranteed that 100 percent of the funds we raise will be spent on the homeless dogs and cats in their care,” Jerry said.

In September of 2016, Second Chance opened its Heading Home Center in Middlebury Township. Since then, 914 cats and 802 dogs have been adopted and the center has reunited more than 225 dogs with their owners.

Between 2001 and the opening of the shelter in 2016, Second Chance volunteers fostered lost cats and dogs in their homes until the animals were adopted by new owners or their original owners could be found. 

People who attend the benefit can donate money, a bag of dog or cat food or cleaning supplies.

Donations of any kind of dry or wet cat and dog foods are appreciated. The animals at the center eat 200 pounds of Purina Pro or Victor dog food and 4Health cat food each month.

Donated for the Chance Auction are gift cards to local and regional businesses, jewelry, toys, dishes, bakeware and more. There will not be an admission or cover charge to attend. 

The public will have two opportunities to view the many Chance Auction items at the benefit and buy tickets. The doors at the Knoxville VFW will be open Friday night, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that time, auction tickets will be provided for people to place with the items they want to win. “We have a new style of ticket that is numbered and does not require people to write in their names,” Jerry said. 

Gaye has made more than 25 different items handcrafted from trees he cut down on his own property. They can be purchased during the Yard Sale being held in conjunction with the Chance Auction. Among the items are: a 68-inch long by 16-inch wide model of the American Civil War ironclad warship, the USS Monitor; bar stools, log furniture, a giant pine cone, planters, big stars, lanterns, birdhouses, beverage holders, charcuterie boards and more. They will be available for purchase on Oct. 18 and 19 with the funds to be donated to the Heading Home Center, too. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Beginning at noon next Saturday, Oct. 19 will be bluegrass and 
old-time music to listen to and chili, hamburgers, hot dogs and chips to purchase to eat.

The drawing for the Chance Auction winners’ names will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

For more information about the benefit and the Chance Auction and Yard Sale, call the Knoxville VFW at 814-326-4321. For more information about Second Chance’s Heading Home Center needs, call the center at 570-376-3646.