BRATTLEBORO — Despite an unusually hot spring day on May 21, Youth Services' new fundraiser, “Cornstock: Cornhole for a Cause!” was successfully launched at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro.
Presented by Chroma Technology, the inaugural event, which celebrated Youth Services' 50 years of building community, grossed $11,000 to support its 20 programs in Windham County and in neighboring New Hampshire towns.
Teams of four or more, totaling 125 individuals with names like “The Hole Denominators,”“Creamed Corn,” “Lieutenant Frank Drebin,” and the “Senior Holymolycornholies,” raised donations online and off, from more than 100 acquaintances near and far.
Retreat Farm's Farmhouse Square sported the flying corn bags (sewn and weighed to specs by volunteers Judy and Chip Siler) every hour between noon and 6 p.m., in a grassy field lined with 24 cornhole boards (built by the Windham Regional Career Center students, taught by instructor John DiMatteo) from materials donated by W.W. Building Supply.
The boards were snappily dressed in purple and white vinyl covers contributed by Elite Vinyl Images, designed by Lotus Graphics and installed by Brattleboro Union High School volunteers.
Youth Services' Executive Director Russell Bradbury-Carlin categorized the event as a strong start for what he hopes will be an increasingly successful fundraiser for his organization and a signature event for the community.
“I want to thank our volunteers, our cornhole players, our corporate sponsors, the musicians and food trucks, and our in-kind and prize donors,” he said in a news release. “We couldn't have pulled this off without each and every one of them. Also, Retreat Farm is a great venue for Cornstock and their events coordinator, Jenny Crowell, met our every request.”
Unlike a traditional tournament, prizes went to the top fundraisers rather than top scorers.
Raising more than $1000 to benefit Youth Services, Frances Quesnel from the Swiss Precision team “Oh Shuck It! Bag Busters” team received the top individual fundraiser prize, a designer hand-crafted red oak and alder cornhole set that resembled fine furniture, donated by Guilford woodworker and retired educator Dwayne Johnson.
Area musicians showcased their talents throughout the day, starting off with the seven-person ensemble Putney Jazz, followed by a cappella performers Shoulder Narrows, and concluding with the seasoned musical duo of Steve Carmichael and Bill Conley.
The team who raised the most collectively was the “Cornish Game Chicks” team, who will receive a donated pontoon boat ride with refreshments on the Connecticut River as their reward.
The business that sent the largest number of employees was tied between Chroma Technology and Swiss Precision Turning. The “Corny Cyclists” team and teams from Chroma both received recognition for their team uniforms.
For more information on Youth Services or to sign up to help organize next year's Cornstock, email info@youthservicesinc.org or call 802-257-0361, ext. 147.