HOOPESTON — A fundraiser to help cover medical expenses for Andrew Myers, the 14-year-old Hoopeston boy who recently underwent a heart transplant in Chicago, will be held July 30.

The event, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be hosted by the Hoopeston Area Softball Association at Girls Softball Park, located in Union Park on East Wyman Street in Hoopeston.

There will be a dunk tank, face-painting, a bounce house and a raffle.

Field activities will include a pitch-off, golden glove challenge, a circle-the-diamond competition, a home run derby and a noon softball game featuring the Hoopeston Area Teachers against the Hoopeston Fire Department.

Kelly Ankenbrand, president of the softball association and the event coordinator, said all events are open for public participation.

All proceeds will go to the Myers family to help with ongoing medical expenses, she said.

Andrew Myers is at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Several items have already been donated for the raffle. Ohio State University has sent a signed T-shirt and hat from its men's basketball coach Thad Matta, a Hoopeston native, plus an Ohio State jacket and pompoms, Ankenbrand said.

Some other items include food gift certificates and two certificates to Holiday World.

Community support for Andrew and his family has been great, Ankenbrand said.

"We just hope to raise as much money as we can to help them with their medical expenses," she said.

Other ways to help:

— A benefit fund has been established through Community Bank of Hoopeston. Donations can be made to the Andrew Myers Benefit Fund and mailed to the bank at 221 S. Bank St., Hoopeston, IL 60942.

— A car wash is planned from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 23 (Andrew's birthday) at Crown Ford, 623 S. Dixie Highway, Hoopeston.