Physical Facilities is sponsoring a number of fundraisers for one of its employees, Chris Klimuszka, a motor equipment mechanic who is suffering from brain cancer. The main event will be a banquet on Sunday, April 2 from 12-6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 80, located on 76 Main St., Binghamton.

Kilmuszka, 37, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last year. He has a wife named Holly, a 14-year-old son named Brian and a 7-year-old daughter named Brianna. Martin Ashman, a motor vehicle operator for Physical Facilities, said that Kilmuszka has been very involved with Off Campus College Transportation and helping Binghamton University’s students.

A number of prizes will be raffled off at the benefit, including a Jeep, one of Klimuszka’s favorite models of car.

“Chris has always loved Jeeps and a ’96 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be raffled off in his honor,” Ashman said.

Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 each or three for $10. Tickets are on sale at Automotive Services, located behind Physical Facilities, or by calling 777-2900. The the winner will be drawn on April 2 at the banquet.

“I made up 5,000 tickets for the Jeep and have sent out 2,500 in the mail,” Ashman said, “There are still more available, and they are open to students.”

There will also be a silent auction and a live auction the day of the benefit. The live auction is for items worth more than $250. Among the items to be auctioned are professional tool boxes and paintings. One of the carpenters at Automotive Services, who is also an artist, has created a natural wood carving that will be raffled off. Tickets for the wood carving are $1.

The banquet meal will include salad, pasta and homemade desserts. Live entertainment will include Mike and Sue Decker’s Weddings Plus, Shmangy Boys, Rich Wilson and Don MillerShoobop, Ricky and the Blue Shadows and the Dan Davis Band.

Ashman said that the fundraising effort has been aided by several members of BU’s staff and faculty.

“The people involved have been very helpful,” he said. “Last weekend a bunch of men went to Chris’s house to build a ramp so that it would be easier for him to access his home.”

The benefit’s committee meets every two weeks and consists of all volunteers.

Roger Summers, the vice president for Student Affairs, Johann Narvaro, the interim associate vice president for Physical Facilities, and several other staff and faculty members sit on the committee.

Off Campus College Transportation will be sponsoring a performance by hypnotist Rich Wilson to benefit Klimuszka . The event will be held on March 30, from 8-11 p.m. in the Old University Union Hall. Admission is $5.

From now until April 1, all of the money raised from recycled items will also go to Klimuszka.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can send checks to Chris Klimuszka Benefit c/o JoAnn Navarro, Physical Facilities, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902.