PEORIA, Ill. – A Baseball Hall of Famer made a stop in Peoria to help raise money for a local organization.

Former Saint Louis Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith was the guest speaker Thursday night at the Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary fundraiser.

The event each year raises money to help support efforts by the Salvation Army.

Event co-chair Tami Shawgo says it’s the auxiliary’s biggest event each year, and brings awareness to the organization.

“A lot of people who attend may not be familiar with all the things that they do here in our community, and after tonight, they will be more familiar with that, so that’s always important,” Shawgo said.

Shawgo says Thursday night’s event was expected to raise around $150,000, with a total amount raised in a decade and half of about $1.6 millio

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