North Valley Softball members, friends and supporters gathered Saturday morning for a softball friendly at Constitution Elementary School to raise money for another family in need.

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Yvette Redd, 38 years old and mother of four, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is fighting hard to beat it. Friends and families gathered at the elementary school in the cold, where eight softball games were played and numerous raffles were entered to support the family.

“People just want to help,” close friend Lena Atkins said. “Many people who don’t even know Ms. Redd donated baskets for the raffle.”

Everything at the tournament was donated either from friends or companies.

“Event Tee’s donated the T-shirts and sweatshirts, which they normally do not do for small events like this, but when they heard what it was for, they immediately said yes,” Atkins said.

North Valley Softball has been around nearly 15 years and has a tradition of helping its own. According to Rick Phillips, former NVS president, this is the fifth fundraiser for a family who has lost someone or has had cancer.

“This community never surprises me,” Phillips said. “They always do right.”

Board member Robert Pleger described NVS as “one big family.” Parent Ron Banakles said, “When a family is in need, everyone gets together to raise money for their families, and it’s usually a big turnout.”

Saturday’s event had plenty of festivities and ample opportunities for people to donate to the family. There were prizes to be won by purchasing raffle tickets, food to be enjoyed, music, t-shirts and even areas for children to play.

“People are just donating to donate,” friend Christina Youngbird said.

Atkins and others put the fundraiser together in just five weeks.

“Someone said we should do something, and so we did,” Atkins said.

Word was spread through email and word of mouth. Everyone seemed to come together, and different people did different things to help get the event organized.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and for their prayers,” Yvette said. “It has really helped.”