WASILLA — To a couple that has served the Valley for years, it’s time to give back.

As owners of the Mug-Shot Saloon and Tailgaters Sports Bar, Marilyn and Ted Anderson have had open hearts and generous compassion, said manager Cynthia Jacobson.

“When your in this kind of business, there is always someone who needs a hand or an ear,” Jacobson said. “They were it.”

CYNTHIA JACOBSON/Courtesy photo Marilyn Anderson with her husband, Ted, and daughter, Megan.

Marilyn was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer in July 2008. The rare and aggressive disease claimed her life Thursday evening. She was 58.

In the face of insurmountable medical bills, Jacobson is organizing a fundraiser to help Ted cover the cost.

“Ted and Marilyn are self-employed. They are not covered by any big medical plan,” Jacobson said. “People who know them know they have done this for people in just the same kind of situation.”

The fundraiser will take place Saturday at the Mug-Shot. Festivities will include a pig roast, dunk tank, and separate children’s’ play area. The house band, The Connection, will lead the beer garden lineup including Time to Live and Burn Session, and an acoustic open mike will be running inside. The two big money makers will be an auction and the Big “M” Benefit Raffle.

The auction will be going on periodically through out the day, Jacobson said. The big ticket item is an all-inclusive trip for two to a Seattle Seahawks home game.

Raffle tickets are $100 each, but each of the nine prizes would be well worth the investment. A custom Winchester, diamond ring and brand-new Arctic Cat four-wheeler should be more than enough temptation.

“I think we are just right around 300 tickets sold, but that number should change in the next few days,” Jacobson said, adding they have to sell 500 tickets for the raffle to take place on Saturday.

A complete list of prizes and locations to purchase tickets can be found on the Mug-Shot’s website at www.mugshotak.com.

As all the prizes were donated, the potential is there to raise some serious cash to help Ted out, Jacobson said.

“It’s obviously an astronomical figure, but we’re really hoping it (covers the medical expenses),” she said. “By drawing together the community members, just a little bit from each can help immensely.”

Ticket holders do not have to be present to win. The festivities begin at noon and continue “till the bonfires die down.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.