While most baseball tournaments aim for a trophy, the Home Runs for Huntington's baseball game plays for something more powerful: raising awareness of Huntington's disease and supporting a local resident affected by it.
Home Runs for Huntington's is set to take place at the Kinsmen Park baseball diamond on Saturday (Aug. 16). The annual initiative raises funds in support of Greg Belton, a Strathmore resident diagnosed with Huntington's disease in 2018, as well as the Huntington Society of Canada.
According to the society, Huntington's disease is an inherited brain disorder that causes brain cells to die. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulty controlling movements, memory loss, and challenges with decision-making and emotional regulation.
Belton's friends and family, including Michelle Belton and Danny Janes, launched the event in 2020, inspired by an idea Greg had originally proposed for his father, who was also diagnosed with the disease.
In 2024, the fundraiser raised a total of $7,554, helping the family purchase a vehicle lift for Greg's wheelchair and supporting the national society's work.
Now in its fifth year, the event will include catering by Baldwin BBQ, a bottle drive, a 50/50 draw, and a visit from the Strathmore Fire Department, which will be on site with a firetruck from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Donors will be entered to win a door prize.
The baseball game is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.