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Raffle, spaghetti feed set to help Carlson
family
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July 31, 2012
Updated August 28, 2012 |
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On September
15, you could win an 870 Remington
shotgun similar to the picture on top,
or a Weatherby .300 Vanguard Series 2,
similar to the bottom photo, and help a
life-long Bonners Ferry family through a
serious medical crisis. |
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Plans are underway for a spaghetti feed and
silent auction fundraiser to benefit the family
of Customs and
Border Patrol agent Rich Carlson, who lost his
battle to pancreatic cancer August 17, and on
September 15, the day the feed is taking place,
two people will win firearms in a "win one of these gun"
raffle, as well as several great items in raffle
number two.
Last September, Carlson was given just three to
six months to live, but never quit fighting,
holding on well beyond even the most optimistic
predictions. The tenacity, determination and
faith he displayed
throughout his ordeal is an inspiration to all
who know him.
He and his wife, Nancy, both of whom have long
been active in local Boy Scouting, made weekly
trips to the coast for experimental treatments
after all other treatments failed, and the
costs depleted their savings. Even some of
the mainstream treatments, including
chemotherapy, were not covered by the family's
insurance.
Before being stricken with cancer, Rich rarely
ever took a sick day, and despite the severity
of his illness, he refuses to quit serving the
nation at his post in Eastport. Even with the
difficult treatment regimen, even now his sick
days are rare ... mostly taken to shake off the
terrible effects of his treatments.
So moved by Carlson's tenacity and devotion to
the people he served and those he worked with,
two of his co-workers, who wish to remain
anonymous, purchased the new firearms that will
be given away September 15, with all proceeds
going directly to the Carlson family.
It was a U.S. Customs officer who bought and
donated the camouflage 870 Remington shotgun, a
Border Patrol agent bought and donated the
Weatherby .300 Vanguard Series 2 rifle.
Tickets for the firearms raffle drawings are $5 each or
three for $10, and there's no limit to the
number of tickets you can purchase.
In addition to the firearms raffles, enough
generous local donors have given several other
great items which will be given in a second
raffle with multiple winners.
They'll be drawing for a half ton of hay, two
half hogs, a three month membership at Iron
Mike's Gym, a quilted wall hanging, a whole
lamb, cut and wrapped, a unit of eight-foot 2x4
lumber, about 294 boards, from Riley Creek, and
more.
Tickets for the second raffle drawing are $1
each or six for $5.
Those wishing to buy tickets should send cash or
checks made out to Rich and Nancy Carlson to
P.O. Box 1172, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. Be sure
to enclose a slip of paper with your name and
phone number so you can be contacted if you win.
Those who would just like to contribute without
purchasing raffle tickets can send donations to
the same address.
The winners will be drawn during the spaghetti
feed and silent auction, taking place from 6 to
9 p.m. at the fairgrounds Memorial Hall. Even if
you're tied up September 15, which is a
Saturday, you can still buy raffle tickets, as
you don't have to be present to win when the
drawings are held at 7:30 p.m.
If you'd like to find out more, donate silent
auction items or help with the benefit, you can
call (208) 304-0397. |
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