GREENFIELD — A local cornhole tournament raising money for cancer patients hopes to double its competitors this year.
The fourth-annual Cornhole for Cancer, which benefits the Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center at Hancock Regional Hospital, has expanded its competition to include both competitive and recreational brackets, a move organizers hope will encourage more teams to sign up.
The luau-themed event is slated for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the North Street Living Alley in downtown Greenfield, a space running from North Street to Main Street between State and Pennsylvania streets. Greenfield Main Street partners with the Hancock Health Foundation to put on the event, which will include live music by Jim Mayfield and the “All About the Q” food truck, said Greenfield Main Street director Shelley Swift.
Nearby business Wooden Bear Brewing Co. will host a beer garden, and the living alley will be roped off so competitors can enjoy a beer while competing, she said. The competition is open to all ages, however.
Entry into the contest is $20 and includes an event T-shirt. Wooden Bear Brewing Co. gift certificates go to the top three teams in each competition bracket; the prizes for the recreational bracket are $60 for first place, $40 for second place and $20 for third place; for the competitive bracket, the prizes are $100 for first place, $80 for second place and $60 for third place.
The tournament will begin with a ceremony recognizing cancer survivors and their caregivers at 5:30 p.m. Swift and co-organizer Ellen Kuker started the cornhole competition because both their families were affected by cancer, Swift said.
Two years ago, the tourney honored Kuker’s husband, Skip Kuker, because his birthday was the day after. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” and shared a large cake adorned with the executive director of the Hancock County Economic Development Council’s signature mustache. Kuker has been battling cancer for about four years.
The event has raised more than $1,000 each year, which goes toward providing comforts to patients receiving treatment at the cancer center, Swift said.
Staff members at the center asked patients what they’d like to see the money go toward last year, said Amy Bender, social services coordinator. They chose for the funds to go to coat hooks in infusion rooms and updates to the patio furniture on the outdoor infusion areas, she said.
“It might seem like a minor thing, but when you’re going through cancer treatment, you want to be as comfortable as you can,” Swift said.
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Cornhole for Cancer Tourney
Benefiting the SueAnnWortmanCancerCenter
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
North Street Living Alley (just west of State Street)
$20 cost includes T-shirt
Top 3 teams in competitive and recreational brackets receive gift certificates to Wooden Bear Brewing Co.
Register online at facebook.com/cornholeforcancer
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