A basket raffle to benefit Pennsylvania State trooper Alex Douglass, who was injured in a shooting outside the Blooming Grove State Police barracks, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Jim Thorpe Masonic Lodge Social Hall at 501 Center St.

Heather Formica of Jim Thorpe is organizing the event. Formica, whose grandfather was JimThorpe's police chief, also has an uncle who retired from the state police. Although her family's history in police service was in the back of her mind while deciding to spearhead the event, it was her late brother's fight with leukemia that was the true driving force. Formica's brother David died at the age of 15 in 2006 after a four-year battle with the disease.Formica knows all too well that there are many expenses associated with prolonged hospital stays that aren't covered by insurance."I had to watch my mother (and the rest of the family, myself included), travel to and from the hospital when David was sick," Formica said. "This all adds up and it is an expense that people don't think about or plan for. I wanted to make sure that there was one less thing for trooper Douglass to worry about. He should be able to recover and heal without the burden of money on his mind."The basket count sits at 72 baskets as of Monday evening, but Formica hopes to reach 100 by the time the doors open on Saturday. Light food and drinks, much donated by local businesses, will be available for a donation. Formica asks that if anyone would like to donate a basket or make a monetary donation to contact her at 570-762-6928.