Submitted photo
Bentley Fulkroad sits with his brothers (left) Maverick, 6, and (middle) Walker, 11 months old.

Submitted photo

Pictured is 11-month-old Natalya Flores.

MIFFLINTOWN — It’s been 10 years since Harper Miller’s passing, and it hasn’t gotten any easier.

But, for her parent, Amber Foose-Miller, honoring her memory by continuing the very softball tournament fundraiser that friends and family held for Harper 10 years ago helps keep her legacy alive.

Each year since the passing of their daughter Harper, her parents, friends, family and community have shown support not just for Harper, but all of the families and children the event helped in the last decade.

This year, in honor of the anniversary of Harper’s passing, two families were chosen to receive help.

The family of 13-year-old Bentley Fulkroad and the family of 11-month-old Natalya Flores are this year’s Harper’s Warriors recipients.

The benefit softball tournament for these families is slated for Saturday, Sept. 28, at Walker Township Park; eight teams signed up to participate.

An opening prayer will begin at 8 a.m. with softball games to immediately follow throughout the day.

Fulkroad was born with a rare congenital heart disease. From the beginning doctors said he had a 50/50 chance but he’s still here fighting 13 years later, said Foose-Miller.

He has had five open heart surgeries with one being when he received his donor heart.

Fulkroad and his family hoped this would be the end of his struggles, but unfortunately his new heart is rejecting him, Foose-Miller said. This has led to the need for various treatments.

The funds their family receives will go toward these treatments, gas to and from appointments, various medical bills and anything else this family may need during this time.

Tragically, Flores passed on Aug. 25.

She was born at 30 weeks 6 days, weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces. At 9 days old, she was diagnosed with a staph infection in her hand that ended with surgery so she wouldn’t lose her hand, Foose-Miller explained.

She spent 42 days on antibiotics and 79 days in the NICU before coming home with a feeding tube.

The funds raised at this event not only go toward the cost of gas, medicine, medical bills, but also funeral costs. Something we don’t always think about.

There will be a chinese auction starting at 9 a.m. and winners will be called at 2 p.m. You do not have to be present to win.

The championship game will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a presentation to the families.

Italian ice, cotton candy and popcorn will be available during the event.

There will also be face painting, games and prizes. Donations can also be made to the families.