Dine, bid to benefit family; Auction fundraiser on tap in Sturbridge.

STURBRIDGE - Some fun, some food, and some luck will combine to raise money on March 17 to benefit a local family.

The Kent Boltz Education Fund Committee will sponsor a silent auction and dinner fundraiser at the Sturbridge Host Hotel with cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. The silent auction will culminate the evening's festivities. Items to be auctioned include box-seat tickets to various Red Sox games, theme baskets and gift certificates to area businesses and restaurants.

Kent Boltz, a well-loved and respected community leader in Sturbridge, died in November 2006 after a brief illness. His passing left a hole - not only in the heart of his family, but also in the community at large. Mr. Boltz was an investment representative with Edward Jones Investments. But it was his spirit of volunteerism and his untimely death that inspired several friends and colleagues to form the Kent Boltz Education Fund to benefit his three young children, Benjamin, Lauren and Emily, according to a recent press release.

"Kent was my golf partner and a fellow Rotarian. Flat out, he was the nicest man I have ever met. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone. I thought that I had a very close or special relationship with him. As it turned out, others also seemed to feel that away about their association with Kent. He had a way of making everyone else feel special as well," said Bill Lemke.

A longtime member of the Sturbridge Little League Board of Directors, Mr. Boltz served as a Major League coordinator for players ages 10-12. He also coordinated the regional Connie Mack Baseball Tournament, was active with Pop Warner football, was a founding member of the Community Business Association and was a member of the Sturbridge Rotary Club.

Numerous area businesses have donated items for the silent auction, according to event organizers.

"The generosity is not surprising. Kent was the kind of person who left an impression," said committee member Sarah Greene.

"One of my family members, who had met Kent on only one occasion, contributed a one-week stay at the Cove at Yarmouth," said Penny Dumas, a family friend and committee member. "We also have $10 raffle tickets for a 48-inch HDTV."

Tickets for the event must be purchased by March 9. The cost is $35 for adults and $20 for children under 12.

Tickets can be purchased at the Edward Jones Investments office at 113 Main St. (Rte. 131), or at Pioneer Oil at 59 Technology Park Road. For more information about purchasing tickets from committee members or to contribute to the event, call Dave Brunelle at [phone], or Ms. Dumas at [phone].

"We appreciate the support we have received from many area businesses," Ms. Dumas said. "And we hope the fundraising event will receive wide community support. Our goal is to give back to Kent's family for all that he has given to so many of ours."