Red Sox fans from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts won the Red Sox Foundation’s long-running raffle of World Series rings. The three-month event, which concluded Sunday, raised $620,238 gross for the foundation.
The grand prize winner, William D. Forrest of Greenwich, Conn., will receive a set of authentic World Series rings from 2004, 2007, and 2013. While he currently lives in the heart of Yankees territory, Forrest is originally from Kennebunkport, Maine, and is a lifelong Red Sox fan.
The second place winner, Ruth Kerzer of Providence, Rhode Island, will receive a pair of 2013 World Series rings. Kerzer, who is originally from Long Island, New York, and a Mets fan, said she became a Red Sox fans when she moved to the Ocean State 25 years ago.
The third place winner, Jayne Lupi of Haverhill, Mass., will receive one 2013 World Series ring. Lupi grew up going to Red Sox games with her father in the 1970’s and has continued the tradition with her 86-year old mother who attends about 30 games a year with her.
“This fundraiser is an extraordinary way to benefit so many families in New England,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, who is also chairman of the Red Sox Foundation. “Whether these funds are allocated to education, our pioneering Home Base Program, or to our legendary relationship with the Jimmy Fund, the impact is real.”
The ring raffle winners were announced last evening during NESN’s pregame show.
This year marked the third Red Sox Foundation World Series Ring Raffle, but the first that was open to fans worldwide. Fans from all 50 United States purchased tickets, as well as fans from 23 other countries, including Australia, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico and the Netherlands.
In previous years, winners were from Massachusetts, and they won only the World Series ring from 2004 and 2007, respectively.
This year’s ring raffle was run by NetRaffle.org, part of the Celebrities For Charity Foundation, and Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
