The Milan News-Leader
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Auction includes variety of items
Money raised to help family of injured Saline Marine
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 18, 2007
When Saline Police Sgt. Jay Basso first learned that his friend and fellow law enforcement officer Marine Cpl. John Lockwood had been seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Fallujah, Iraq, he knew he wanted to do something to help Lockwood and his wife Lisa.
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"Originally, I just thought let's get some cops together and raise some money," Basso said.
It was a snowflake of an idea that in the weeks following snowballed into "Operation: Lockwood," a benefit dinner and auction event that has left Basso stunned by people's generosity.
"I'm completely flabbergasted by the support we've gotten for this," he said. "If I tried to list everybody who gave something, I couldn't."
Items donated for the live benefit auction to be held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds 4 p.m. Sunday are overflow in a corner of Basso's office.
Items include an autographed jerseys from Detroit athletes, including Steve Yzerman and Chris Chellios; autographed framed pictures of Gordie Howe, Lloyd Carr, Red Berenson, and others; a signed football from New York Jet Chris Baker; a Coleman fireplace grill; and a 2006 World Series baseball signed by Tiger pitcher Nate Robertson. There are more, and items continue to pour in for both the auction and for raffling.
Basso credits the widespread response to the efforts of the American Legion and other service organizations, as well as to the contacts of Saline Fire Chief Craig Hoeft and Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Steve Armstrong.
"Those two guys are top-notch," Basso said. "Basically, the only thing I've done is collect things."
Basso has made a few phone calls, too. He said it has not been hard to convince companies and individuals to donate to Operation: Lockwood. His pitch is simple.
"I just tell them the story of John," he said. "I say, this is what we want to do, can you help?"
The outpouring of concern and generosity has overwhelmed Basso, and his friend. He said he spoke to Lockwood, who is in a rehabilitation center in Tampa, Fla., Saturday for close to an hour.
"He told me he didn't deserve it," said Basso, "that he didn't do anything. He asked how he could thank all these people and I told him we'll worry about that when you get home."
Operation: Lockwood has been a communitywide effort with large and small companies, large and small organizations, and individuals all pitching in. The Vietnam Veterans of America and VFW Post 423 joined with a resident to donate $1,000 toward the benefit dinner and auction's expenses. To date, Basso said, out-of-pocket expenses have totaled only $368. Everything else has been donated.
"If I tried to acknowledge everybody, I'd be here half the day," he said.
The benefit spaghetti dinner will begin at noon. Tickets are $10 and raffles will be held throughout the day. The auction, which will be managed by Braun and Helmer Auction Service, begins at 4 p.m.
All the proceeds from the dinner, raffles and auction will go directly to the Lockwoods, Basso said.
"(The Lockwoods') main costs are going to be this year when they get home and John has to continue rehabilitation and Lisa won't be able to return to work because she'll need to be with him," Basso said.
The benefit dinner and other upcoming fund-raisers are to help give the couple one less thing to worry about.
"Our goal is to give John and Lisa the peace of mind when they get home that they have some money and can focus on what's important and rehabilitating," Basso said. "We want them to know we're going to make sure they're OK."
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