LEWISTON, Maine — In response to the damage done by a December storm to the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston, dozens rallied together for a cornhole tournament fundraiser to rebuild the park in honor of veterans who served.
Hosted by the Patriot Riders Maine Chapter 4, club members wanted to give back to the veterans' community despite not being able to ride due to the winter weather.
Landing on a cornhole tournament, a first-time event put on by the club, members say the response was phenomenal.
"And what better way than to do it for the Veterans Memorial Park that was destroyed in Lewiston in December of last year," Club President Bradt McCollett said. "You don't have to be a veteran to be a part of the Patriot Riders, you just have to have a heart for helping veterans.
Folks attending could help pitch in by playing a round of cornhole, or by entering one of the dozens of raffles or silent auctions; all totaling close to $5,000 in prizes.
Club member Rob Bosquet is one of many who jumped in to play and enjoys helping to give back to the veteran community year-round.
"I don't play competitively, but because of our cause today, I figured I'd put my name in and see how we do," Bosquet said. "And it's a huge sport right now, it's a big turnout ... there's so many people playing this sport now."
With more than 65 sign-ups just as things started to pick up, club members say with the success, they hope to run the event again next year.