The 17th Annual Doing it for David Memorial Basket Auction was held Saturday at the Lehighton Recreation Center on South Eighth Street. The event is in memory of David Formica, who died at age 15.

His sister, Heather Formica explained, “We raise money for David’s charities, and also for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, in his memory.”

In 2002, David was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In 2006, David passed away, but Heather and her family have continued to work diligently to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now called Blood Cancer United.

“Some of the money raised goes to the Ronald McDonald House, a camp for cancer patients and their families, we’ve give a scholarship each year in his name to Jim Thorpe High School, and a portion goes to Blood Cancer United. We’ve been raising money for them for 20 years.”

The basket auction featured 234 items: 222 regular table items, a table of larger items, and separate raffle that will be chosen in December, that prize being a 12-bottle wine fridge cooler.

The regular gift items included: Pampered Chef baking items, baskets of snacks, car care gifts, towel sets, home decorative wreaths, bottles of wine and other beverages, and a variety of gift cards from local stores.

The larger-items table included: a Gas One Firepit, a 5-pound Hershey bar, a gift certificate for a complimentary custom spray tan, gift certificates from Wind Creek and Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Thirty One bags, a bottle of Crown Royal, and a Ryobi power drill.

“To date, we have raised around half a million dollars,” Pam Formica, David’s mom, said of the 21 years of fundraising.

Event and ticket sponsors included: Moya Restaurant, Jim Thorpe; Annie’s Ice Cream, Jim Thorpe; Oriole’s Nest 183, Lehighton; Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, and the Mauch Chunk Pharmacy.

Food sponsors were Breanna Eckley, Breeze Bodywork; Dave and Mary Figura; A.D. Home Inspections; Berks Packing; Zimmerman Dairy; and Herrs.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, donors and supporters who came out today for our 17th Annual David F. Formica Memorial Basket Raffle in memory of David,” Heather said. “We raised $5,730. We cannot thank the community enough for always rallying behind David.”

Next year’s basket auction will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on July 17, 2027, again at the Lehighton Recreation Center.