The Fred's Fund second annual silent auction and The Barley House Burgerfest to benefit Fred's Fund and CHaD concluded June 21 and were both huge successes.

The silent auction kicked off June 18 at Grappone Park during the Hilliker Cup. Former New England Patriots great Robert Perryman was in attendance to sign autographs and meet the kids. The auction continued through Saturday, when the bidding was fast and furious. There were more than 160 items to bid on, including gift certificates to local businesses, sports memorabilia, Red Sox tickets and a World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 team autographed basketball. A fun time was had by all.

The auction was made possible through the generosity of Concord American Little League, and also was supported by Concord National, Merrimack Valley and Concord Northeast Little Leagues.

The Barley House Burgerfest 2008 started June 13, with a Fred's Fund silent auction and continued with many great events during the week. More than 1,000 people enjoyed great burgers and helped contribute to Fred's Fund.

Fred's Fund, the Swymer family and The Barley House would like to thank all who donated and participated to make these events such a big success. The generosity and outpouring of support was quite overwhelming.

Contributions to Fred's Fund totaled more than $20,000.

Fred's Fund was organized in 2007 in memory of Fred Swymer, who was 9 when he was treated at The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth for Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. During Fred's brief stay at ChaD, he received world class medical care. Although Fred succumbed to his illness, his family and friends will always be grateful for the care he received.

Fred's Fund contributions go to many different programs that help the patients being treated at the pediatric intensive care unit at CHaD and their families. Visit fredsfund.org for more information.

The silent auction and Barley House Burgerfest were sponsored by New Hampshire Distributors, Capitol Distributors, The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 613, S&W Sports, J. Miller & Associates, The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Individual Fitness, RBC Dain Rauscher, the Independent Restaurant and Bar Owner's Association, The Courtyard by Marriott, Allied Home Mortgage, The Amish Country Barn, Wheeleabrator Technologies, Hodgie's Ice Cream, Champions Choice, FIJI water, WKXL, WTPL, WJYY, WGIR, The Sportsjunkies, Ordway's Market, Stella Artois, Red Hook Brewery and Long Trail Ale, plus countless other donors of auction items.

JAY SWYMER

president, Fred's Fund

BRIAN SHEA

owner, Barley House