By Peter Turcik

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 9:01 p.m.
Updated: Monday, April 22, 2013

The Ligonier YMCA will conduct a “Spring Corn Hole Shootout” beginning at noon March 9.

The fundraiser is held in conjunction with the Ligonier Valley Association of Churches to benefit the Ligonier Food Pantry. Refreshments and snacks, donated by local restaurants, will be available.

YMCA Director Ben Wright said people at the Food Pantry contacted him, saying they were low on funds and food and wanted to do a large fundraising event. Wright said he was happy to lend the facilities and staffing for the tournament.

“We felt like it was a great cause,” Wright said. “The Y is about strengthening the foundation of the community. We want to make sure we are supporting folks in need and this is a great way to do it.”

Corn hole is a game played with two platforms 30 feet apart, each with a hole cut in the middle. Teams of two throw beanbags, trying to score points by landing them in the holes.

Jeremiah Wagner, the senior director of programming at the YMCA, said the event would either be in round-robin or double-elimination format depending on how many teams sign up. Wagner said the cost to register is $20, and interested teams may register at the Y up to March 1. He said that teams may register up to the day of the tournament, but after March 1 the cost is $30.

“We're looking to fill both gyms with corn-hole boards and run games throughout the day,” Wagner said. “We want anybody that can throw

a corn-hole bag 30 feet, there are no restrictions as to who is allowed to participate.”

Wright said the YMCA is partnering with the Association of Churches as a way of reaching out to the communities.

“We were hoping to advertise through the churches and inspire people to come out on not a great day, weather-wise, and enjoy each other's company, some food and to benefit a great cause,” he said.

Heritage United Methodist Church is one of the churches in the association that the Y contacted to distribute information. The Rev. John Flower, pastor at Heritage, said the association works with the Food Pantry year round.

“It provides a very necessary service to a lot of the families in the Ligonier Valley,” Flower said. “I think a lot of people would be surprised at how many people are making use of that kind of assistance month to month.”

Flower also said the YMCA's philosophy of healthy living has is a part of Heritage's scripture encouragement, which includes mental, spiritual and physical well-being.

“It sounds like something that is going to be a lot of fun,” Flower said. “I don't think we have done something like that before and it is something that just about anybody can do. It's not outside the boundaries of the churches to work with the community like this. It sounds like another great idea to bring the community together for a great cause and have a great time while doing it.”

For more information, call 724-238-7580.

Peter Turcik is a freelance writer

for Trib Total Media.

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