Cornhole benefits horse therapy
Participants tossing bean bags in a cornhole tournament at Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park will help therapy horses and their special-needs riders at Glade Run Adventures in Zelienople.
The inaugural Pullman Park Toss kicks off at noon Aug. 24. Event organizers are still accepting registration for two-person teams to compete. Teams can also register before 11 a.m. at the door the day of the event.
The Butler County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Butler County Class of 2019 is organizing the event to raise funds for its class project at Glade Run Adventures. The community service project led by the leadership class is resurfacing two horse arenas and upgrading stalls for the nonprofit organization's therapy horses.
The horses are ridden by children and adults with mental or physical challenges and aims to teach them trust, self-confidence, goal-setting and other important concepts through therapeutic riding.
Seth Prentice, community marketing manager at Armstrong and a member of the Leadership Butler County class, said more than 10 teams have signed up so far.
He said there is no limit on the number of teams organizers will accept for the competition and fundraiser.
“The more the merrier, as proceeds will be going directly to Glade Run for their therapy horse arenas,” Prentice said.
Friends Helping Friends of Butler will provide 18 sets of cornhole boards and accessories so 36 teams can play at the same time.
Prentice said each game between two teams will be in the best-out-of-three format, and all winners must end at 21 points.
The first-place team will receive $800 in gift cards, and second-place winners receive $400 in gift cards.
The concession and beer stands at Historic Pullman Park will be open for the event, according to Prentice, and both players and spectators will receive two hot dogs, two drinks, chips and a T-shirt. Although the Pullman Park Toss is the first cornhole tournament at Michelle Krill Field, Prentice has organized three other cornhole tournaments for other venues.
He will serve as the host and master of ceremonies for the event.
“Come on out and have a great time for a great cause,” Prentice said.
Stan Kosciuszko, president of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, said the 2019 Leadership Butler County class has raised $26,000 so far toward the Glade Run Adventures refurbishment. Members need to raise $5,000 more for the project to be completed.But Kosciuszko said the 25 class members also have sweat equity in the Glade Run project.Class members installed new limestone bases in each stall at the arenas, placed thick rubber mats on top of the base, laid flooring in two tack rooms and painted one of the tack rooms, he said. The new arena surfaces must be installed by a professional.Having met and often befriended multiple Leadership Butler County class members over the years, Kosciuszko is particularly impressed with the 2019 group.“They shot high and they attained the height that they wanted,” he said. “It's a pleasant, smart, industrious group and I've enjoyed getting to know them.”He said the money raised so far for the riding facility at Glade Run came from a murder mystery at the Atrium that raised $12,000, the sale of stall sponsorships in which the names of local businesses will be placed on the stalls at Glade Run Adventures, and donations and contributions.“It's been a wonderful project,” Kosciuszko said.Julie Wahlenmayer, the director of Glade Run Adventures, said she is amazed at the effort being put into the project by the Leadership Butler County class, both in fundraising and hands-on work at the facility.“They have worked so hard to make this happen and we are very honored that we are the recipient of these extra efforts,” Wahlenmayer said. “They are an amazing group of people.”
WHAT: Inaugural Pullman Park cornhole tournament to support Glade Run AdventuresWHEN: Noon, Aug 24; registration begins at 11 a.m.WHERE: Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman ParkCOST: $60 per teams; spectators pay $20TO REGISTER: Call the Butler County Chamber of Commerce at 724-283-2222 during regular business hours.
