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Michael Gentry and his fiance, Andrea, thank the foundation and tell some of Michael's story.

In one room of the Salem Civic Center sat more than a dozen adults and children and their families within the greater Salem area with health problems, physical limitations, or educational needs who were about to receive donations from the Chance Crawford Trust Fund Committee. Over $25,000 was given this year to those individuals, to graduating seniors from Salem High School and some to Glenvar seniors, as well as to local sports booster clubs, the Challenger Baseball League, and to Salem Camp D.A.R.E.

The individuals' needs ranged from a six-month-old with spinal atrophy to an adult who's lost his vision because of a medication reaction. Each took their turn thanking the foundation and telling parts or all of their stories.

"We're still praying for a miracle. We hope that you will pray, too," said one parent. A big advantage of having so many families who have gone through or are going through difficult times, tournament director Brad Epperly said, is the networking possibilities in a room for folks who can really empathize with their unique situations.

The Chance Crawford Benefit Softball Tournament started with the community's rallying around a traumatically injured Salem High School quarterback, Chance Crawford, in 1981. The proceeds went to Crawford's educational expenses, the renovation of his home, and physical therapy for his spinal cord injury. After he graduated from college, Crawford was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for the city of Salem, and the trust fund committee decided to continue the tournament for other worthy causes and individuals.

In the 29 years of the tournament, it's raised over $325,000. This year, 135 teams competed and around 100 people participated in skill contests and a home run derby that helped raise more money than the tournament expected, even with the economic gloom and doom.

Click here to read our post and see the results of the tournament.