Event begins at
9 a.m. in Benton
City Park

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Josh Henson was just 24 when he passed away on Tuesday, April 20, leaving behind two small children and grieving parents. Now, Henson’s close friend, Hope Edwards, is working to make certain his death will mean something to others.

The first-ever Josh Henson memorial co-ed softball tournament will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 10 at Benton City Park.

It’s something Edwards said she’s been thinking about and working on since Henson died two months ago.

“We buried him on April 25,” Edwards said. “He was 24, and he didn’t have life insurance. His parents had suffered so much already with everything that had happened so far, and if I can help take one little piece of financial burden from them, that’s one less thing they have to think about.”

Edwards said she hopes to use the proceeds from the event to not only help the Hensons with the debt they have incurred, but also to contribute to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education [DARE] program. The initiative has become something of vital importance to Edwards.

“We may not get anyone off drugs,” she said, “but if we can plant that seed and open someone’s eyes and help just one person, it’s worth it.”

Drug awareness is Edwards’s main goal, she said, and the community support toward that objective is something she said has amazed her.

In addition to the tournament, a silent auction and raffle will be held. Edwards said local businesses have donated a number of goods and services, including restaurant gift certificates, salon products, veterinary services and gift baskets.

Edwards said room is still available for players and teams, as well. Registration fees are $150 per team and $15 per player for those without a solid team. Participants should sign-up by July 8. Team players are required to be 15 years of age or older unless given special permission by a guardian.

No admission will be charged for spectators of the tournament; however, donations will be accepted, and concessions will be available for purchase.

Those wishing to contribute independently may do so at any branch of Community Financial Services Bank, c/o the Josh Henson Memorial Fund.

With luck, Edwards said the event will become a yearly occurrence, with all proceeds going to benefit DARE and other drug awareness programs in the future. And though coordination is long and tedious work, Edwards said, “I’d do it over again, everyday.”

It’s a fight she and the Hensons are more than willing to endure to bring attention to the potential effects of drug abuse.

Said Edwards: “You may not think it can happen to you, but it doesn’t matter if you’re a good person or how you were raised — it can.”

To register for the tournament, interested parties should contact Edwards via email at henson.memorial@yahoo.com.