Mentor Firefighters Host Matt Henk Foundation Benefit Softball Tournament

Last year, softball teams from as far away as Indianapolis, Detroit and Baltimore  gathered in Mentor for the annual .

This year, it's even bigger.

Fifty-two teams from across the country will play against each other July 28 and 29, having fun while raising money for a worthy cause.

The International Association of Firefighters Local 1845 (the Mentor firefighers' union) began the tournament to raise money for the family of Matt Henk, a Mentor fireman who died from colon cancer in 2009. He left behind behind a wife and twin daughters.

Since its inception, this tournament has grown each year to the point where the money raised from it can go to other noble causes as well, including Mentor Youth Hockey, the Ireland Cancer Center and the family of Tom Hough, another firefighter who died because of cancer.

The festivities will start with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. July 28. Several honor guards from around the region, including Mentor, and the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums will welcome everyone to the tournament.

Then teams will square off until the tournament championship Sunday afternoon.

The public is invited to the tournament. If the kids get bored, they can play on inflatable playgrounds that will be at the high school.

Also, profits from concessions, a Chinese raffle and the sale of T-shirts will go to the Matt Henk Foundation.