Sanford said she is turning 60 on Oct. 1 and was planning to throw her own Pay It Forward 60th Birthday Party.

She is hosting a Reaching Out 2 Others (RO2O) fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Algot Johnson American Legion Post 69 in Whitehall.

“I had sent letters out to friends and took a chance and asked them if they would be willing to pay $60 a couple to come to may party! Well, the response was so great that I have turned it in to a fundraiser ...,” she wrote.

Along with the private party Sanford is having a silent auction and is inviting the public to bid on items which include gift certificates from restaurants, hair and tanning salons, car washes, jewelry, mosiac art and two tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet.

Sanford will be at the Legion on Thursday and Friday, Sept; 27 and 28, 5-7 p.m., to accept bids. The bidding will end at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Proceeds will go to White Lake Giving Tree, Muskegon Rescue Mission, Old Newsboys, Muskegon Rescue Mission, Family Promise, American Red Cross and a Secret Santa Fund.

“I know that it doesn’t matter where we go in our community, we are seeing different benefits being held on a weekly basis,” Sanford wrote. “The need is so great and the majority that I have contacted have been so giving. I have friends and family that are assisting me with the fundraiser, and I am hoping we can raise a lot of funds that we can ‘pay it forward’ and help someone else.”