CARIBOU — Aldeo and Rina Belanger of Madawaska recently received an unexpected surprise.
Days before they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary, the couple was notified that their ticket had been drawn for the Survive and Thrive package as part of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter’s second annual Racing to Save a Life raffle.
ALDEO AND RINA BELANGER of Madawaska were the grand prize winners of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter’s second annual Racing to Save a Life raffle. They won the Survive and Thrive package — valued at $1,000 — which included groceries, heating oil, electricity and gasoline. Presenting the Belangers with their prize is Ken Urquhart, right, of New Sweden, disaster volunteer and emergency response vehicle driver, who sold the winning ticket. The raffle raised over $7,000 for the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter’s disaster relief fund.
The package included $300 in groceries donated by Star City IGA, $300 in heating oil from Dead River Co., a $250 certificate for Maine Public Service, and a $150 gas card from Daigle Oil Co.
“That was quite an anniversary gift,” laughed Aldeo, 82. The couple celebrated their anniversary Aug. 30.
“It was such a surprise to find out we had won. The prize is wonderful,” said Rina, 81. “It has everything that we need. We appreciate it very much.”
Aldeo said they bought three tickets for $5 at the senior citizens center in Madawaska.
“I never thought we’d win, but since it was a fundraiser for the American Red Cross, we decided to buy some tickets. It was our way to support the Red Cross,” he said. “They help people who really need the help … people who have lost their homes to fires or floods, so it’s definitely a worthwhile organization.”
“They do great work and we’re happy to have supported them in this small way,” said Rina.
The Belangers, who have lived in Madawaska since 2000, spent 38 years in Presque Isle.
“We come to Presque Isle for doctor’s appointments and things like that, so we’ll stop in and buy some groceries from time to time,” said Aldeo. “The other businesses we have up in Madawaska, so we’ll definitely use everything that we won.”
According to Scott Johnson, Racing to Save a Life chair, the local Red Cross chapter wanted to offer a grand prize that would appeal to a wide range of people.
“It’s a challenging time for many people with the cost of so many things on the rise, so we wanted to give people the opportunity to win something practical,” he said. “We felt that everyone could benefit from free groceries, heating oil, electricity and gasoline.
“Apparently our thinking was correct because this year’s raffle was a huge success raising over $7,000, which is amazing … especially since our goal was $4,000,” said Johnson. “I’d like to thank the area businesses that sponsored this year’s raffle, the Red Cross volunteers and staff who sold tickets, and the community members who bought them. We couldn’t do this without everyone’s support and the Red Cross thanks you all very much.”
Last year’s raffle raised $2,000.
Proceeds from the Racing to Save a Life fundraiser will go to the Aroostook County branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter’s disaster relief fund.
