This Saturday starting at 5 p.m., the Walnutport Borough Playground Association will host its second annual baseball versus softball games to help raise funds for the Dream Come True, Blue Ridge Chapter.

All proceeds raised during the afternoon of fun and games will be donated directly to the nonprofit organization that works to fulfill dreams of children in the Lehigh Valley who are seriously, chronically or terminally ill."It's for a good cause. There is no way you cannot want to help Dream Come True," event Chairman Eric Heiney said.Between donations and raffle tickets sold the first year under Heiney's watch, the group was able to raise $5,000 for the cause."There have been several games. It started in the late 1990s," he said of the benefit."Gary Andrews started it but he passed away. Then Julie Williams ran it and I took it over from her," Heiney said.According to the organizer and association board member, Williams will be the games' announcer."She is good at doing the speaking and hype stuff. I'm good at organizing," he said.This year Heiney, with the help of his event co-chairwoman and daughter Kendall, gathered more area business donations of funds, gift cards and items for the event and 75 prize basket raffle."It just keeps growing and growing," he said.The teams consist of Northern Lehigh School District students. Last year's game had 49 players, and this year will average about the same.Heiney said the girls will pitch a softball to the boys' team and the boys will pitch a baseball to the girls.The first game will begin at 5 p.m., with boys vs. girls, ages 8 to 10, with the second girls vs. boys game scheduled at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 15.In addition to the games, Rentschler Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge will bring a 2018 Chevy Equinox and Jeep Compass for test drives and donate $10 for each test run. The first 15 test-drivers will receive two free Phillies' tickets for upcoming games.Diggity Dogs and More will sponsor a kids run on the bases, giving vouchers for free hot dogs to kids 12 and under.Thrivent Financial donated seed money for all of the office supplies and gameday balls used for the afternoon.Tri-County Team Wear will be there selling shirts for event.Along with the games, two raffles will be held. A 50/50 and basket raffle where folks have the chance to win one of the prizes all donated by local businesses, area sports teams and local residents. Items include autographs sent from the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and John Force racing.The basket raffle ticket sheets will be sold for $5 each or 5 sheets for $20."We are already at $2,000 just from corporate donations, but we get a majority of the money from the raffles," he said.The Walnutport Playground Association's food stand director Jennifer Kuhns will have all the usual ballgame fare for sale and donate all money collected to the cause.The games and raffles will start at 5 p.m., at the 856 S. Lincoln Ave. playground location.The rain date is Sept. 16.All proceeds will be handed over to Dream Come True Blue Ridge Chapter.Anyone wishing to donate who will be unable to attend the Saturday event may send contributions to the Walnutport Borough Playground c/o Eric Heiney 1133 Arbor Lane Slatington, PA 18080.