Families of fallen service members to host scholarship fundraiser

SARATOGA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The families of two military service members who were killed in a helicopter crash are coming together to honor them. The families of John Grassia and Casey Frankoski are hosting a celebration in their honor at Brookledge, a wedding venue in Saratoga County.

The proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund set up in their names, which benefits military veterans, first responders and incoming college students.

"We want to keep our children's name alive, so we want to do good things in their honor for other people in their time of need like we are now," Jill Frankoski, Casey Frankoski's mother, said.

The venue's owner, who knew Frankoski's family personally, said the event is meant to be a celebration of John's and Casey's lives and the impact they had on their communities.

"The way we could do that is bring in country music, bring in good food, bring in some great drinks and games and activities, and that's the best way that we could help them, so it's been a nice way for us to focus on a positive thing for John and Casey and the families," Brookledge owner Helen Christopher said.

The event takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 29. Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost $100 per person. Tickets can be found on the Brookledge social media pages.