On Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Howard S. Lines Knoxville VFW Post 6753 at 703 Boatman Road, Knoxville, Pa. 16928, Jerry and Helen Gaye of Osceola are presenting the Ninth Annual Benefit for Homeless Animals to raise money for cats and dogs in a Tioga County shelter. There will not be an admission or cover charge to attend.

The public will have two opportunities to view the many Chinese Auction items available and buy tickets. Yard sale items are included in the Chinese Auction for the first time this year.

The auction will include a wide selection of items donated by people who want to help and by regional and local businesses. Among them will be gift cards, jewelry, toys, clothing, dishes, bake ware, tools, etc. as well as furniture, planters, bar stools and bar tops, all handmade by Jerry from trees cut down on the Gayes’ property.

The doors at the Knoxville VFW will be open Friday night, Oct. 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and again on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 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. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Drawings for the winners’ names will begin at 3 p.m. on Oct. 7.

There will be chili, hot dogs and chips available for purchase on Saturday and bluegrass and old-time music.

“As music and animal lovers, we formed our band in November of 2016 at the request of our big-hearted friend, Jerry Gaye to help make this annual benefit a huge success,” said Diane Brownell. A professional artist, Brownell plays five-string banjo and sings. “Jerry has been donating his musical talent for many years to help animals,'” Brownell added. Gaye plays Dobro and five-string banjo and Floyd Young of Mansfield plays guitar.

“We are hoping this year’s benefit will be even bigger than last year’s,” said Gaye. “People who attend can donate money to help Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries or bring a bag of dog or cat food or cleaning supplies with them to the event to donate.”

Each year, the Gayes’ benefit to help dogs and cats that need homes and are in shelters in Tioga County has grown in popularity. The first four benefits were held at Willie’s Bar & Grill in Osceola. The benefit was moved to the Knoxville VFW in 2018 to accommodate more people and is being held there for the sixth time this year.

The money raised through the benefits Gaye organized in 2014, 2015 and 2016 was donated to Animal Care Sanctuary in Wellsboro, which subsequently closed.

Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, Inc., a volunteer-based organization that was founded in 2001 in Tioga County, operates the Heading Home Center. Proceeds from the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 benefits were donated to the Heading Home Center and will be again this year. The benefit was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

“Second Chance has been using the money to provide medical treatment for the animals in their shelter,” said Jerry “I insist and the Heading Home Center has guaranteed that 100 percent of the funds we provide will benefit the animals.”

In September of 2016, Second Chance opened its no-kill Heading Home Center in Middlebury Township at 725 Gee Road, Tioga, PA 16946. Between 2001 and the opening of the shelter in 2016, Second Chance volunteers had fostered lost cats and dogs in their homes until the animals were adopted by new owners or their original owners could be found.

Items for the Chinese auction can be dropped off at the Knoxville VFW or Blend’s Feed and Farm Supply. “The items must be in good condition and work. We do not accept old mattresses at all and items that do not work,” Jerry said.

For more information about the benefit and the Chinese Auction, call the Knoxville VFW at 814-326-4321 or stop in at Blend’s Feed and Farm Supply 7788 PA-49, Osceola, PA 16942 or call 1-607-382-5448.