Local community members have come together to announce the creation of the Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation. 

Ross Griffin, who graduated from Howland High School in 2014, lost his life to suicide at just 22-years-old in February of 2018.

Ross was a senior at Ohio University when the tragedy took place.

Steve Lewis, an organizer of the event and of the foundation, said, "The community has come together in an effort to create triumph over tragedy with this foundation. Its dual purpose is to provide funding to local students that seek higher education opportunities within the state of Ohio and to provide much-needed funding for help centers that focus on troubled youth that may be a danger to themselves or their community."

Along with donations, the newly created foundation has introduced a new event known as the Ross Griffin Memorial Bash. 

According to the news release, the event will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 8 at the SLOAS Airfield, 4059 North River Road, in Howland. 

There will be a three-hour raffle with prizes given out every five minutes. Some of the prizes include cars, money, and much more, totaling over $150,000.

Winners of the prizes do not need to be present.

Tickets for the event are $100.

Please visit the website at  www.RossGriffinMemorialBash.com to purchase tickets and to obtain further information.

Organizers of the event said they hope to make this an annual fundraiser.