Kellen Kaasa, Eric Anderson, Adam Steiner and Steve Utgaard make up Team Minnesota’s four golfers that will be attending the National Games in Ames, Iowa July 1 through 7.

Minnesota is sending a total of 86 athletes in various events.

Each athlete is selling raffle tickets to help pay for the $500 cost of going to the Special Olympic event.

In partnership with the Minnesota Twins and Ranger Boats the grand prize is a Ranger Walleye Boat covered in a unique Twins design.

The package includes two engine covers &045; one for the lake and a display cover signed by the 2006 Twins team.

First prize is the opportunity to throw out the first pitch for a 2006 Twins home game and four lower club tickets to a 2006 home game.

Second prize is a meet and greet with Torii Hunter on the Metrodome field during batting practice and six lower club level tickets to a 2006 game.

Third prize is a Joe Mauer autographed bat and ball while the fourth prize is four lower club tickets to a 2006 game.

The drawing will be Saturday. Aug. 26 during the Special Olympics Minnesota State Softball Tournament.

Area 10 consists of the area including Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, Owatonna, Red Wing, Faribault and Northfield.

Area 10 has three athletes and one coach that have been selected to participate on Team Minnesota in the first ever National Games for Special Olympics. They are Erikka Giere, aquatics, Rochester Area; Tim Vandenberg, men’s basketball, Rochester Area, and

Kaasa, golf, Freeborn County.

In the local area, Kaasa, of Glenville, has raffle tickets available.

He lives with his family and works at Hy-Vee Foods in Albert Lea.

Contributions can also be made by contacting Kathy J. Karkula

at 800-783-7732 ext. 272.