A volleyball tournament at the Replex has been organized to raise funds for Landon Howard's family.

Landon has been fighting neuroblastoma, a form of infant cancer, for the last several months.

He is currently recovering from a stem-cell transplant in St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

Because of his ongoing battle, his mother, Lacey has taken a year's leave from her work to be by Landon's side during the difficult time, and his dad, Jim is also off work.

Members of the community have seen the family's need and have worked to help in any way possible. Benefits were organized this summer, and the Howards' church, the First United Presbyterian Church of LeRoy, has had a prayer gathering for the community.

Now, Dennis Mennenga, a member of the Presbyterian Church is organizing a volleyball tournament to try to ease the family's burden more.

“I know people in this community want to help out,” Mennenga said of the Howard family. “I think this provides a fun way for the entire community to work together and do something good.”

Mennenga has helped organize a volleyball league at the Replex that is currently running, and he believes there would be enough community interest to have a 24-team 6-on-6 tournament. The tournament will be Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31.

Mennenga said he is looking for sponsors to join in for the event. Each individual in the tournament will receive a t-shirt. Sponsors are invited to donate $200 to have their name placed prominently on the back of each team's shirt. For a $100 donation sponsors will have their name displayed in smaller lettering. Local businesses are also donating prizes for the event.

Sponsors can also donate a lesser amount and be featured in the event flyer.

After a long day of volleyball, participants are welcome to head to Chief's Bar and Grill for a meal, as Chief's will donate a portion of their business over the two days to the Landon Howard Benefit.

Concessions at the Replex will be open during the event and all concession money will also be donated.

Mennenga said he was thankful to have a place like Replex that would host such a big event for a good cause. Replex facility manager Joe Rodts said he was happy to open the doors for this community event, and believes things like this is what a community center like Replex is all about.

“I think this is a win-win for everyone,” Rodts said, “We are here to support the community and do whatever we can do benefit the community. So when opportunities like this come up where we can provide a chance to help out, we want to do everything we can.”

Cost to sign up for the event is $100 per team, with teams of six members. To sign up a team, sponsor the event, or donate an auction item, contact Dennis Mennenga at 309-825-5017. Checks can be made out to the First United Presbyterian Church of LeRoy with Landon Howard Benefit in the memo section. Thrivent Financial Association for Lutherans will match one third of the money raised by the fundraiser.