The Appalachian Community Fund is honoring Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw with an Appalachian Hero Award at a benefit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 31 at the West Virginia Assoication for Justice, 1614 Kanawha Blvd. E.

The event will feature live music with Kate Long and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided along with a cash bar. 

 For 25 years, the Appalachian Community Fund has granted more than $6 million to organizations working toward change in central Appalachia.  In a news release, the Fund said it is honoring McGraw for his work with social change and justice.

Huntington's Disease Support Group

A Huntington's Disease Support Group meets on the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Francis Hospital. The next meeting is May 12. Meetings are for patients, families, caregivers, at-risk and anyone affected by Huntington's Disease. For more information, contact Debbie Armstrong at 304-549-3266 or deb...@suddenlink.net.

West Side Banquet

The West Side Neighborhood Association is holding a "Let's Celebrate the West Side Banquet' at 6:30 p.m. May 17 at Emanuel  Baptist Church, 1401 Washington St. E.

The fundraising event for the association begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction. Tickets are $30 per person or $240 for a reserved table for eight.

For more information, call Ron Stoner at 304-342-4988 or Brenda Ashworth at 304-542-2839.

Basket Auction raises $31,000

"A Tisket, A Tasket . . . A Literary Basket," the annual fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of The Library Foundation of Kanawha County, raised more than $31,000 for programming for children and families at branches throughout the library system. 

Nearly 300 guests bid on 64 literary-themed baskets filled with books, gift certificates, event tickets, gift items and more. Three Kindle Fires were given away as door prizes. Live auction baskets included grounds badges for the Greenbrier Classic, Pittsburgh Pirates tickets and a family trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala.

"We are amazed by the community's generosity and are thrilled that the success of the event allows us to support family and children's programming at the library," said Cheryl Morgan, co-chair of the event.

The event was sponsored by Kanawha Valley Advertising, The Dow Chemical Company, NiSource Transmission and Storage, John and Karen Lukens, Steve and Katy White, William Davis, Tom and Julia Hurney, Walker Machinery, NTV Asset Management, ZMM Architects and Engineers, Proud Eagle Distributing, Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated, Tyler Mountain Water Company, Anne Silbernagel, Karen Brimhall, South Charleston Pediatrics, Malone Consulting Services, Kelly and Melissa Castleberry, Ghee and Terry Gossard, Mr. and Mrs. Lee O. Hill, Cross Lanes Woman's Club, Kathleen Dubois, St. Albans Advisory Board, Moxxee Coffee, Pat Garner, Cross Lanes Advisory Board, Pile Hardware, The Pilot Club of Charleston, Ted Armbrecht and The Wine Shop at Capitol Market.