Planning a holiday cancer fundraiser to donate money to the American Cancer Society. How do I do this?

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I've decided to raffle off a basket to donate money to the American Cancer Society in my Dad's name. My Dad died last year of lung cancer & I feel like this is the least I could do. How do I go about doing this? My biggest concern is getting stuff to put into the basket. I know I can write letters to different companies asking them to donate things to put in, but what should I say in the letter? Any help on this topic at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
S.R.S - Thank you, but I already KNOW that I want to raffle off a basket filled with goodies. I'm in school right now, & the silent auction thing did cross my mind..but it would take so much more time then I have available. Thank You for the idea, though. Maybe I'll use it when I have more time.