Green to benefit from Friday night event at the fairgrounds

Everyone is invited to eat beans and cornbread and fried potatoes, take a horse and buggy ride, get a close-up look inside an AirEvac emergency medical helicopter, or win half a hog in a raffle.

In either the silent or live auction, one could bid on a football autographed by an Indianapolis Colts running back or an authentic Cubs jersey, a Fender guitar or a set of tires, a mountain bicycle or a Bloomfield jack, a Longaberger basket or a trip for two to the Beef and Boards Dinner Theater.

The evening benefit is sponsored by the officers of the Worthington Police Department where Green serves as a reserve officer. Green also worked full-time as a security guard at Greene County General Hospital, before MS confined him to a wheelchair last spring, and he is a former Bloomfield police officer.

WPD Deputy Marshal Eric Floyd said both businesses and individuals have donated some interesting items and he expected more items to come in throughout the week. On Tuesday, Floyd said he was in Bloomfield to pick up a "Coby DVD Home Theater System" that was donated by the Pamida Store.

Some of the other items that will be auctioned off include a handmade quilt, a cordless drill and several other tools, a set of dishes, a set of knives and a grill, a carpet cleaner -- the list is long.

Floyd said they had also received some nice Longaberger baskets and several items of Longaberger pottery.

Besides the auction items, volunteers will be serving dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. for the price of a donation.

"We're going to have beans and cornbread, fried potatoes and we'll also have chili soup and vegetable soup plus tea, lemonade, water and coffee to drink and hot dogs and chips for the kids," said Floyd.

Homemade desserts are being provided by bakers from several area churches.

Worthington Town Marshal Dennis Conaway said take-out will be available and suggested people bring their own container to get soup to go.

Prior to the meal, Det. Duane Collenbaugh of the Linton Police Department will offer prayer.

Officers from several other departments are also participating and the Greene County Sheriff's Department will be on hand to offer free fingerprinting.

"This is going to be a family-friendly evening and we'll have tons of things to keep the kids busy in one corner while mom and dad go check out the auction," said Floyd.

A bounce house will be set up as well as a bungee-jumping activity and games from local PTO carnivals including a putt-putt hole in one, pick up a duck, 7-11, plinko and a bean bag toss.

One dollar will buy a ticket for most activities and all kids will win something -- lots of prizes have been donated.

"We're going to give away a door prize every 15 minutes," said Floyd.

Raffle tickets will be sold for chances to win a 50-50 drawing or half of a hog, fully processed, and employees of a bank are setting up an old-fashioned cake walk.

Chad Green's father, Gary Green, has volunteered to organize the auctions with assistance from a licensed auctioneer.

With his son facing an uncertain future, Gary Green says he is sometimes overcome by the way people have come to the aid of Chad Green and his wife, Jaimie.

"This just doesn't happen everywhere. I can't believe what all these officers and people in the community are doing for Chad and Jaimie. There's no place like Greene County, this is just wonderful," said Green.

Jaimie Green was reported to be making pumpkin rolls to sell at the benefit and Chad Green says he plans to be there even though he is scheduled for a monthly medical treatment two days before the event. The officers are making some special arrangements to accommodate Chad -- if able, he will be attending in a wheelchair. All proceeds from the benefit will go to help with his expenses.

Monetary donations can be made to any branch of MainSource Bank.

"MainSource Bank has set up a special account in Chad Green's name and a donation can be given to any teller at any branch," said Floyd.

For more information, contact Deputy Marshal Eric Floyd at 384-5909 or Deputy Marshal Don Richardson at 798-1068 or call the Worthington Police Department at 875-2424.