2026 Soles Derby

Helping Families in Need

WHEN: 

Saturday August 1st, 2026
Noon – 4pm

WHERE: 

Trenton Thunder Stadium
1 Thunder Rd
Trenton, NJ 08611

WHAT: 

The fifth annual “SOLES DERBY” honors one of our best volunteers, and the most wonderful human being to walk the earth, Mikey “Soles” Vazquez.

WHO: 

Meet the Monto Family from Manville, NJ.

Alexander “AJ” Monto has faced significant medical challenges since birth.

Born on December 20, 2013, with multiple congenital heart defects and a right clubbed foot, AJ’s life has been marked by extensive medical intervention, prolonged hospitalizations, and ongoing specialized care.

Before reaching five months of age, AJ underwent treatment for his clubbed foot, surgery to repair pyloric stenosis, two cardiac catheterizations, and three open-heart surgeries to address congenital heart defects including Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD), Atrial Septal Defects (ASD), and a malformed aortic valve. During his recovery, he was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal disease requiring intensive treatment, intravenous medications, and extended hospitalization.

Over the years, AJ has undergone multiple additional open-heart surgeries, including valve replacement procedures and pacemaker implantation. His care requires coordination among numerous specialists and frequent travel between St. Peter’s University Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

In 2025, AJ experienced a series of life-threatening medical complications. Due to the blood thinners required to support his mechanical heart valves, he suffered multiple brain bleeds that resulted in repeated emergency room visits, hospital admissions, helicopter transfers, extensive diagnostic testing, and treatment by neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, thrombosis, and pacemaker specialists.

Ultimately, AJ required brain surgery to remove accumulated blood and damaged tissue. While the surgery was successful, his recovery required ongoing monitoring and specialized medical care.

The cumulative impact of AJ’s medical condition has placed significant emotional, physical, and financial strain on his family. Frequent hospitalizations, surgical procedures, specialist appointments, medications, travel expenses, and time away from work have created ongoing challenges while they remain focused on providing AJ with the care he needs.

Despite these obstacles, AJ remains an active and determined young man. He enjoys playing baseball and participating in his school’s band and drama club. His resilience and positive attitude continue to inspire everyone around him as he navigates the challenges of living with complex medical conditions.

You can support Homers for Hope’s mission to help families like the Monto’s by clicking here to donate or Sign Up for our next Home Run Derby!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
You can donate directly to this page, and if you would like to PLAY IN THE DERBY, you can register for a fundraising page by clicking the “become a fundraiser” button above, or sponsor the event (info at the bottom of this page).

Click here for more details about how to contribute and participate, click here.