Despite an unusually hot spring day last Saturday, Youth Services’ new fundraiser, CORNSTOCK: Cornhole for a Cause! was successfully launched the afternoon of May 21 at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro. Presented by Chroma Technology, the inaugural event which celebrated Youth Services’ 50 years 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 on-line and off, from more than 100 acquaintances near and far.
top individual fundraiser.
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 pm, 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 CORNSTOCK ‘22 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. “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,” stated Bradbury-Carlin.
Unlike a traditional tournament, prizes went to the top fundraisers rather than top scorers. Raising over $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 at CORNSTOCK starting off with the 7-person ensemble Putney Jazz, followed by a Capella performers, Shoulder Narrows, and concluding with the seasoned musical duo, Steve Carmichael & 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 their team uniform.
Youth Services Corporate Sponsors for 2022 include Pacesetters Brattleboro Subaru, The Richards Group and Headwater Precision, Presenters: Chroma, NorthStar, GS Precision. Sustainers: Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors; Brattleboro Savings & Loan; C&S Wholesale Grocers; DMI Paving; Law Office of Crispe & Crispe; Edward Jones Investment; H & R Block; New Chapter; 802 Credit Union; Silver Forest of Vermont, Inc; Swiss Precision Turning; Vermont Country Deli and VSECU. Patron Sponsors are Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC; Market 32 Golub Foundation; Stevens & Associates; and Trust Co. of Vermont. Associate Sponsors are: Cota & Cota, Inc; ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care; Phillips, Shriver, Dunn & Carroll; Shoe Tree and WW Building Supply. Media Sponsor is the Brattleboro Reformer.
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 x147.
