LEWISTON – A donation to honor the memories of two local war veterans could yield a string of pearls for one lucky contributor.

More than 50 prizes, including electric toothbrushes and flags flown over the U.S. Capitol, are scheduled to be raffled tonight at a fundraiser aimed at paying for two park benches. Each bench is expected to cost about $2,000.

The stone benches would be erected at Veterans Memorial Park, where they would join four other benches as well as other monuments honoring veterans.

The two benches would be dedicated to two local soldiers: Daniel Cunningham Jr. and Shawn Dostie.

Cunningham and Dostie served in the U.S. Army and were killed in Iraq. Cunningham died in April 2003; Dostie in December 2005. Family members of both soldiers are expected to attend the event, which will be held at the Elks Lodge on outer Lisbon Street.

The spaghetti and sauce for tonight’s dinner will be provided by Gov. John Baldacci’s family-owned Bangor restaurant, Mamma Baldacci’s. Donations from other restaurants, grocers and food distributors will round out the menu. A $5 donation is suggested at the door.

Among the items to be raffled off during the evening are:

• a coffee table book donated and signed by Sen. Olympia Snowe;

• manicures and tanning by Sarah Jeanne’s in Lewiston;

• gift certificates for Lewiston Veterinary Hospital; and

• tickets for L/A Arts, the Public Theatre, the Lewiston Maniacs, the Community Little Theatre and the Portland Sea Dogs.

Cunningham’s mother, Nancy, came up with the idea of buying the benches after thinking about her son one day. She decided it would be nice if there was a place where she – and others – could go to think about him.

Maine’s two U.S. senators and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud are expected to attend the event, along with Baldacci.

Proceeds will benefit the Danny and Shawn Memorial Fund. Any money raised exceeding what’s needed to pay for the benches will be used to honor military veterans, according to a press release.