Softball for charity this weekend

All the proceeds are given to Defi Corporatif Canderel who distributes all the funds to the cancer research centres at McGill University and the Université de Montreal.

The 17 teams competing in the tournament are from the Dollard des Ormeaux area and Chairman Leon Caron is looking forward to another successful event this year.

“All these years we’ve been supported by the people in this league and in the Dollard area and we hope they keep supporting us, and even people outside of Dollard, because it’s a great weekend. Every day there’s something for the kids and it’s a lot of fun,” Caron said.

The funds are raised by local companies and individuals that help sponsor the tournament every year.

“The guys pay to play. We have an auction, a raffle, we sell food all weekend long and donations are from people in the league and companies that sponsor us put their names on our shirts,” Caron said.

Every year the tournament offers something fun and exciting for kids and parents during the weekend

Kids can enjoy numerous activities that include the Dynamix Kidvivor, raffles, inflatable games that are provided by Kloda, and a football clinic with Matthieu Proulx and Etienne Boulay of the Montreal Alouettes.

For the parents, there is a silent auction Sunday night at 6 p.m. that accounts for 20 to 25 per cent of the total proceeds. Items being auctioned range from sports memorabilia, to hotel and travel packages and restaurant gift certificates.

The weekend festivities also include a Texas Hold’em poker tournament that has a minimum $30 buy in. Keep in mind that the tournament is for ages 18 and up.

With an expected attendance of 1,500 to 2,000 people, Caron is confident the weekend will raise more money than last year’s event.

“I always say, if we make a dollar more we’re successful, but we’re hoping to hit $60,000,” Caron said.

Caron believes cancer has affected every family in some way, and events such as this are important in raising money for cancer research as well as keeping the memory of those who died of cancer alive.

In the 14 years the tournament has been running they have managed to raise about $350,000.

For a fun weekend for the entire family, be sure to check out the memorial softball tournament at Edward J. Park in Dollard des Ormeaux starting Aug. 3 in the evening, running through Aug. 5.