A Youth American Football League (YAFL) team in Albuquerque is donating a portion from its annual fundraiser this year to families of the June balloon crash victims, according to a KRQE report.
The West Mesa YAFL team, which typically holds a raffle to raise funds for practice equipment, uniforms, banquets, and tournament fees, will donate half of this year's proceeds to the families of Martin and Mary Martinez, Susan and John Montoya and Pilot Nicholas Meleski, who died in a balloon accident early on June 26 when the balloon collided with a power wire near the intersection of Central Avenue and Unser Boulevard.
“One of the team mothers came up with the idea,” West Mesa YAFL team Coach James Carroll said. “We put it to a vote, and all the kids voted that they would like to do this.”
Each raffle ticket is $2 and on Aug. 24 the YAFL will host a Facebook Live drawing, according to the team's Facebook page.
The raffle prizes include a two-person balloon ride, a $50 Visa gift card and a $50 Chili's gift card.
