Community pours in support for C. J.

A big effort to support a young man with cancer garnered a large amount of support last weekend, including a pulled-pork barbecue and a softball tournament, both taking place in high heat conditions. People turned out anyway.

Mike Shear's pulled pork sold out Saturday, and the softball tournament at North Dam Park included 10 teams with members from as far away as Spokane and Hermiston, Ore. Two more teams had to drop out, said organizer April Smith, but no matter.

"It filled up in less than 24 hours," Smith said. That was just in mid-May. "This is what we wanted: to have it maxed," she said.

Each team paid $300 to enter; playing Saturday and Sunday, as temps hit 108 or more, was no extra charge.

It was all to support C. J. Bjorson, who has been diagnosed with cancer in his early 30s.

Smith said the events raised "a good chunk of money," ticking off a list of extras that coaxed more out of players, such as foul ball bracelets that could keep a batter from going out.

Smith said people were generous, writing checks and handing over cash. La Presa donated $2,000, she said. And she hopes to bring in $8,000 on a raffle still underway for a set of tires donated by Les Schwab.

Those $20 entry cards can be obtained from her, from Heidi Johnson, Janet Christie or at Loepps.