$10,000 is the goal of a fundraiser to aid Brian Kaiser, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a surf accident in June.
Hosted by Sterling Insurance and Cobleskill Partnership Inc., the event is on Thursday, November 16, 5-7pm at Chieftans in Cobleskill.
Friends organized the fundraiser to help Mr. Kaiser and his wife, Jacqui Hauser, cope with expenses not covered by insurance––a wheelchair and special bed, for example.
All proceeds will go to the couple.
Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by visiting www.seecny.org/Brian.
The fundraiser recognizes Mr. Kaiser’s contributions to Cobleskill. As the longtime president of Cobleskill Partnership Inc., he directed many projects to improve downtown.
“It’s a community event for a community person,” said Nino Cogliandro, president of Sterling Insurance, of which Mr. Kaiser is a board member.
CPI Vice President Bruce Tryon, who worked with Mr. Kaiser on several projects, agreed with Mr. Cogliandro.
“Brian is all about Cobleskill,” Mr. Tryon said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without Brian’s hard work to make his community a better place.”
At the fundraiser, there will be an update on Mr. Kaiser’s condition, and he may attend the event. (See related story in this week's paper edition.)
The ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets and a cash bar.
There are also two giant raffles. One is a Husqvarna equipment package that includes a hedge trimmer, string trimmer, leaf blower, pole saw, chainsaw and push mower.
The other is a seven day, six night stay in The Villages in Florida.
There will be a drawing for each prize; tickets are $25.
Also, more than 15 local businesses are providing gift baskets and gift certificates to be raffled off.