The Rutland Rugby Club will host the Keith Page Invitational (KPI) rugby tournament on June 22 to honor the memory of longtime club member Keith “Moose” Page and raise funds for the Silver Towers Camp.
The KPI tournament was renamed in 2014 to honor the late Keith “Moose” Page, a beloved club member who passed away in March of that year. All funds raised from the annual tournament are donated to the Silver Towers Camp, which provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to enjoy outdoor recreational activities and social enrichment.
Page worked with students with special needs in both classroom and athletic settings, as well as at Silver Towers for many summers.
Rutland Rugby presents donation from 2023 KPI to Silver Towers.
“He had a passion for athletics, children, and helping others,” said KPI co-chair Kate Troy, “So as a club we are proud to carry on his legacy by supporting organizations he was involved with and groups he was dedicated to.”
“Keith Page was an integral part of Silver Towers Camp,” said Carolyn Ravenna, director of Silver Towers Camp. “Having worked with Keith at Rutland City Public Schools through the Unified Sports Program, I knew Keith would fit in at Silver Towers. Keith started working with us as a personal assistant for a young man who needed one to one help in order to attend. From there, Keith became part of the family.”
Ravenna expressed her ongoing appreciation for the fundraising efforts by Rutland Rugby. “Keith’s memory lives on in the scholarships raised from the rugby tournaments,” she said. “We are able to sponsor campers who do not have the funds to attend camp and that makes such a difference in the lives of the campers. Keith will always have a place in the hearts of all those involved with Silver Towers Camp.”
Page’s impact on campers and their families lives on as well.
Keith Page in action from 2023 KPI.
“Keith Page was a very special person,” said Lori and Bob Baxter, parents of a Silver Towers camper. “We worked with Keith in the school setting plus as an umpire in the city league. Our daughter Marisa who is special needs had the opportunity to have Keith support her in school and Unified Special Olympics and he was the most caring individual. Everyone that knew Keith also knew his passion for rugby and Silver Towers was his world. His commitment to both were very obvious to his friends…we miss him dearly as he would always run by the house and he made sure to stop and say ‘Hi’.”
Rutland Rugby welcomes donations — goods, services, gift certificates — from area businesses and individuals for a raffle that serves as the primary fundraising portion of the event. Every year visiting clubs and spectators alike enjoy purchasing raffle tickets for a great cause and the chance to win donated items. In turn the club publicizes those who contributed to the event when they make the donation to the camp. The club invites anyone interested in donating to contact them at rutlandrugbyboard@gmail.com.
“We invite everyone to join us for a day of rugby, community and charity,” said Troy. “Even if you’ve never watched a rugby match before, you’ll find the KPI tournament exciting and for a great cause. Moose’s memory lives on through events like this that bring people together to support meaningful organizations in our community.”
For more information about the Keith Page Invitational, visit: rutlandrugby.com.
