The Going to the Dogs basket donated by OB/3 main staff, includes two dog crates and many dog accessories.

The public can bid on 59 high-end raffle baskets and items while supporting medical and mental health care for children in the county.

The Butler Health System Foundation kicked off its Caring Angel Basket Auction today at the Nixon/Sarver Education Center classrooms inside the Butler Memorial Hospital tower.

Residents can bid on the baskets from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17, when the auction will close early at 6 p.m.

All proceeds from the auction benefit emergency room patients aged 17 and younger who cannot afford to pay their bill, as well as Butler Health System's Family Services, which offers counseling, ADHD and ODD outpatient programs, parent-child interactive therapy and other support services for county families.

Kris Bowser, the Butler Health System Foundation's development and events manager, said a kayak, fire ring and a smoker are among the items being raffled this year.“It's not really all baskets anymore,” she said of the big-ticket items being donated.She said the items are donated by physicians' offices, departments at Butler Memorial Hospital, paramedic services and some community members and businesses.A 50/50 raffle is also available. Bowser said last year's winner went home with $15,000.Last year, the basket auction, which is just one fundraiser for the foundation's Caring Angel program, raised $80,000.“It shows how supportive and really generous Butler County residents are for the children in the county,” Bowser said.Raffle basket tickets are $5 for 10 and $10 for 25. Winners will be notified Dec. 18.

“Meals n Wheels" donated by Professional Business Services. It includes gift certificates to many restaurants, visa gift card, Ford Bronco power ride on and many car accessories.