Fundraising Incentive Prizes for Youth Services’ CORNSTOCK 2022 Announced

Youth Service’s newest fundraiser, CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause! to be held at Retreat Farm on Saturday, May 21, will offer incentive prizes for participants who choose to raise at least $100 in sponsorship monies from friends and family instead of paying the $25 registration fee for cornhole players.

Dwayne Johnson builds a “designer” cornhole set for the top fundraiser of CORNSTOCK

The fundraising goal for the event is $20,000 and it will require cornhole players raising money as well as donations from spectators drawn by the sunny weather, the food trucks and live music, according to Youth Services organizers. There will be special awards for the top individual and top team fundraisers of the day and the highest fundraiser of every hour will be announced on the public address system.

The top individual prize will be a set of “designer” cornhole boards built by fine woodworker, Dwayne Johnson of Guilford. As someone who grew up in Illinois, which he described as a location where “the corn grows tall and corn hole games thrive,” Johnson said he was honored to be asked to make “competition ready and to specs” boards that were special and unique. Johnson describes cornhole as an increasingly popular lawn game in which players take turns throwing bean bags at a raised platform (board) with a hole in the far end until a team or player reaches or exceeds a score of 21.

“I chose the hardwoods of red oak and alder for the cornhole sets because they are heavy and strong and resilient like the individuals who have been served by Youth Services for 50 years,” Johnson explained.  The woodworker committed his career to inspiring young people, having taught trumpet and band to middle schoolers in Iowa for 45 years. Johnson designed each board with a rosette corner to “bring the boards home” to New England, where this design adorns many original door frames.

The teams that fundraise the most will win a pontoon boat ride on the Connecticut River with refreshments.

Donated services, restaurant gift cards and activities will add incentives for individual participants who break $250, $500, $1000 or $5000 levels by using email and social media to encourage donations to Youth Services.

“Most players putting in some effort can easily raise $250 in a couple of days, but we are preparing to be giving out at least 10 prizes for individuals breaking the $1000 level during this, the event’s inaugural year,” said Nanci Leitch, Development Director. “The on-line giving platform is designed to take most of the work out of fundraising. And we have staff dedicated to helping people use it,” she explained.

Restaurant gift certificates from TJ Buckley, Tito’s Taqueria, the Works Cafe and Blue Moose are also on the prize list, according to organizers, who are encouraging other businesses who can, to step forward this week with donations.  Fun activities and products are also part of the prize packages donated from places as varied as Brattleboro Bowl, Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters and the Canoe Touring Center.

CORNSTOCK will be held from noon-6 pm at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro, on May 21 at Farmhouse Square on Rt. 30, but teams are encouraged to register as soon as possible to get the hour playing window they want. The $25 early registration fee per player is waived for those willing to find sponsors through peer-to-peer fundraising.  The registration fee doubles to $50 per person the day of the event, if lanes are available.  Spectators are welcome at a suggested $5 donation at the gate.

There is something for everyone: food trucks, the Thirsty Goat Pub, the Creemie Stand, live music and, of course, cornhole matches for groups of 4+ people (of all abilities) every hour on the hour.

For more information or to register a team of four or more, visit youthservicesinc.org/cornstock or email info@youthservicesinc.org or call (802) 257-0361 x131.