A $50 raffle ticket could put you in Fenway Park on April 12, when the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees.
Ray Keefe of Hollis, N.H., is offering two tickets to the game as a benefit for the family of Kelly Page, the Lowell firefighter who died of a heart attack on Sept.14 at the age of 38.
"There are so many tragic things that happen around us and there are numerous causes to consider," said Keefe, a printing equipment salesman and a Lowell native. "But this is one family that is close to many of us and could use the help of the Lowell community. Lowell has rallied around every endeavor put by them in the past and I am sure this will be no different."
Page collapsed in the West Sixth Street fire station where he worked. He left behind his wife, Katy, and three daughters, Kyleigh, 13, Kaelin, 10 and Kera, 5.
Keefe is not new to this sort of fundraising. Last year's raffle raised $23,920 for the McLaughlin family of Westford. Tammy McLaughlin died unexpectedly on Feb. 10, 2007, leaving her husband, Keith, and seven children.
Katy Page said she has been overwhelmed by the public outpouring that followed her husband's death. A bit embarrassed to be the center of attention, she recognizes that it's a way for others affected by Kelly's death to do deal with their loss.
"It just seems that everyone has wanted to do something to help us. People we know. People we don't know," she said. "And I also realized that this is exactly what Kelly would do if someone else was in our situation. He was truly all about this type of thing."
The raffle will be held on April 5, but Keefe has not determined a time or a place. Last year's check was presented to the McLaughlin family at the Enterprise Bank and Trust in Westford.
Keefe suggests that contributors write their phone numbers and e-mail addresses on their checks, so he can keep update them the progress being made.
The raffle tickets are $50 each.
Checks can be made payable to the Page Family Scholarship Fund, and sent to Ray Keefe, 63 Nevins Road, Hollis, N.H. 03049.
