AURELIUS - Al Kozlowski sees the connection between the Montezuma NationalWildlife Refuge and Louisiana coastal areas.

Both house important wetlands that serve as home to wildlife and improve the quality of life in the region. Kozlowski, of Fleming, belongs to Ducks Unlimited, a group that conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These days, the group is active in lobbying for the restoration of the Louisiana coastal wetlands in the wakes of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

There are chapters of Ducks Unlimited in Auburn, Union Springs, Skaneateles and Ithaca.

“We're trying to preserve areas like Montezuma,” Kozlowski said. “It's exactly the same thing as the (Mississippi) delta. It's a directcorrelation.”

So he decided to use that connection to help victims of the hurricanes. Kozlowski approached Bass Pro Shops about holding a fundraiser with a sportsman theme.

On Saturday, it came together.

“There are a lot of sportsmen down there,” Kozlowski said. “Fishing, hunting down there is a lifetime heritage.”

Saturday's fundraiser included a raffle - with donated Bass Pro gift cards as prizes - and a chicken barbecue put on by the Aurelius and Fleming fire departments.

Barbecue Chairman David Perkins said he hoped the barbecue would raise about $2,000 for hurricane victims.

“We just want to do everything we can,” Perkins said. “There's just so much you can do from up here.”

Another part of the event was a flea market featuring sportsmen's goods. Each vendor paid $10 to set up a booth in the parking lot, with all proceeds going to hurricane relief, said George Fiorille, promotions manager for Bass Pro.

“It's just something different we're trying,” he said. “Whatever we raise, we raise.”

Kozlowski set up a booth selling hunting and fishing supplies at the event.

“It's a good thing for the country and it's a good thing for us,” he said. “It's a good package.”