'Lifelong' Big Blue Fan Wins Giants Season Tickets in FD Raffle

Dave Salembier, a self-described “devout” Giants fan from Suffern, NY, didn’t realize that a decision to take his wife out to dinner on Mother’s Day would land him in seats at MetLife Stadium for the season, but that’s exactly what happened.

When Salembier and his family went out to the Mason Jar this May, Mahwah Company 2 firefighter Ed Placinski was selling tickets for the FD’s annual raffle. He bought two tickets, not expecting to get a call several months later informing him that he won.

“When I first got the call [from the Mahwah Fire Department saying I’d won], I thought it was one of those fake robo calls,” he told Patch. “I had forgotten all about buying the tickets.”

He was quickly reminded, and said he, and his entire family, were happy to pick up the season tickets.

“I have four grown children. I am a lifelong Giants fan, and I instilled that in all of them. They are very dedicated fans.”

The retired former nursery school owner said he will be putting his season tickets to use this Sunday, “despite [the Giants] performance in their last game,” in which they fell to Cowboys, 36-31.

Salembier said he is looking forward to Sunday’s game against the Broncos.

“It’s brother vs. brother, so no matter what it is going to be an interesting game,” he said of the teams’ quarterbacks, Eli and Peyton Manning.

Mahwah’s Company Two Fire Department runs the raffle as a fundraiser every year.

"The Mahwah Ladder Co. #2 raffle committee would like to thank everyone who helped and supported us for another successful year," the MFD released in a statement about the raffle. "We would also like to commend the local businesses whose continued support helped us to achieve our goal. Congratulations to this year's winner. We look forward to hearing about his enjoyment of the season tickets."

Salembier said he was happy to help the cause.

“I am happy the fire department could make some money to pay for what they need,” he said.

Company 2 will be kicking off its  2014 raffle ticket sales at Mahwah Day.