'Fishing for Keegan and Casey' fundraiser to benefit family of Plum explosion victims
Aug. 14—A Washington Township couple is hoping to help victims of Saturday's house explosion in Plum by honoring one family's love of fishing.
Angela and Mike Blasko created a fundraiser in which one winner will land an all-expenses paid, full-day offshore fishing trip on Lake Erie on the Blasko's charter fishing boat, One Eye at a Time.
"Angela actually brought the idea to me. I've been fishing in Lake Erie my whole life. I love to take people out and watch their reactions fishing — especially kids," Mike Blasko said.
Angela said she had a lightbulb moment after reading a Tribune-Review story about the deaths of father and son fishing fans Casey and Keegan Clontz of Plum.
"I looked at him and said 'The family liked to fish; this is what we're gonna do,'" Angela Blasko said.
Casey, 38, and Keegan, 12, Clontz died when a house they were inside exploded, leaving behind the other half of the Clontz family, wife Jen and daughter Addie.
Both Casey and Keegan were avid outdoorsmen, sharing a love of fishing.
The Blaskos aim to honor their memory and raise funds for the family and thought a fishing trip was a fitting tribute.
The couple work full-time jobs, and the fishing charter business is their side gig that will ultimately serve as Mike's retirement job.
"With all the bull in this world, this is something I can do to give back," Blasko said.
Tickets for the raffle are $10 each.
The estimated value of the charter trip is more than $1,000.
A spokesperson for the Clontz family expressed appreciation Monday upon hearing the new of the fundraiser.
Two businesses that are among Blasko's business contacts also plan to donate fishing gear for the winner.
"I'm so excited to see who wins this," Mike Blasko said. All fishing levels and ages can win. Anybody can come out. I pretty much do everything. I want people to just enjoy it — hang out, do your thing, and I will clean and filet the fish, too."
The winner will be selected via a computer-generated program and announced during a live Facebook presentation Aug. 27. Ticket sales end at noon the same day.
The winner can select a fishing date from the 2024 season, beginning in May and continuing through October.
Fishing options include lake trout, walleye and steelhead.
"The winner just has to get to Erie. I will take care of the rest, including fishing licenses and everything," Mike Blasko said.
Normal charters leave at 5 a.m. and the trips last eight-hours or reaching the 36-fish limit, whichever comes first.
"We are blessed to financially give back on this. We want to give back. Our intentions are pure," Mike Blasko said. "I want the winner to have a good time, and I want to celebrate and honor what these people loved to do."
To purchase a ticket, contact Angela Blasko on Facebook, Venmo at @Angela-blasko or Zelle at 412-915-8734.
Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .
