As part of its Block Island Race Week, the Storm Trysail Club is holding a raffle this month, and the Block Island Rescue Squad and the Block Island Maritime Institute will benefit from the proceeds.

The Grand Prize is a Rolex Men's Oyster Perpetual Submariner timepiece, valued at $3,300, donated by Rolex, the presenting sponsor of Race Week. Second prize is a four-day/night holiday package at the Bitter End destination resort in the British Virgin Islands, for two people, valued at $1,500. Third prize is a Mount Gay Rum duffel bag with one bottle of Mt. Gay Extra Old Rum, and Mt. Gay branded items, including a burgee, blanket, hats and pieces of clothing. Prizes from Gill include an IN2 Coast light jacket and a women's fleece jacket, and from Heineken, a beer cooler with Heineken promotional items.

"As part of our 20th anniversary event on Block Island, the Club wanted to recognize the warmth and hospitality, and the spirit of cooperation we've been accorded over the years," said Richard Neville, Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club. "This is America's original big boat race week, and it has grown over time due to the efforts and teamwork of individuals and organizations from all over the island."

The raffle is open to Block Island residents as well as race participants. Tickets are $10 each and will be sold at the Race Week Duty Office at the tent behind The Oar Restaurant in the Block Island Boat Basin, starting June 21. Books of 10 tickets cost $90. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday evening, June 26.

For four decades, ocean racers have tested their skills around the Block in the biennial five-day regatta. While it draws primarily from the East Coast, entrants come from across the nation, from Europe, and some times from as far away as Australia and Japan. America's first dedicated race week for ocean-racing yachts, the event concept is now been adopted at a number of race-worthy sites around the country.

Race Week officially opens this year on Sunday, June 22. More than 200 racing sailboats, ranging in size from 24 feet to 70 feet, will pack nightly into docks and moorings in the Great Salt Pond and do battle daily on four separate courses on Block Island Sound.

For more information, visit the Block Island Race Week website at: www.blockislandraceweek.com. During the week, daily reports, results and photos will be posted on the site.