While you're at Easley's “Celebrate America” Festival today and tomorrow, don't miss a chance to help the family of a hometown hero.

Items are being raffled off to help the family of Sgt. 1^st Class Matthew Bradford “Brad” Thomas, an Easley Army Guardsman who was killed, along with two other Guardsmen from South Carolina, last month while serving in Afghanistan.

Thomas was laid to rest Sunday.

Jacqueline Graham was manning the raffle booth, located close to the amphitheater in Old Market Square, when she spoke to Patch Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Easley's July 4 festivities kicked off.

The raffle tickets are $1 apiece and there are six different bags to chose from.

“One ticket per bag,” she said. “If you want a chance at all six bags, you'll have to buy six tickets.”

The items in the bags include an oil change from KBR Auto Repair, a $10 gift card from YoGo Creations, one month of tanning from Paradize Tanning, four separate $25 gift certificates for a shampoo, cut and blow-dry from Salon on 8, a $20 gift certificate from Joe's Ice Cream Parlor and a painting entitled “Courage” from a local artist.

Raffle winners will be drawn on Thursday and buyers do not have to be present at the drawing to win.

Ticket buyers are asked to write their contact information on the back of their tickets.

“So we can draw them and just call the winners,” Graham said. “Then we'll either mail it to them or meet up with them to give them their prize.”

Proceeds will be given directly to Thomas' wife Jana and their son Cayden.

Graham lives in the same neighborhood as Thomas' parents.

“A few of us had gotten together to put flags and bows all over the neighborhood to show our support for them,” Graham said. “I was up late praying one night and the Lord put on my heart that we need to do a little bit more for the family.

“It occurred to me that (Jana) might have some financial needs that needed to be meet,” Graham said. “I thought the community could step up.”

Dunburk's Premier Events, which organizes and runs the July 4 festival, gladly donated Graham a vendor booth for the two-day event.

“They were so willing to help out,” Graham said.

She then went to local business owners and asked for their help.

“They were so happy to help out,” Graham said.

“I just want to see the community step up and raise as much money as we can for this awesome family,” she continued. “Sgt. 1^st Class Thomas, he's a hero. He defended our freedom, so we owe it to them to do this.”