Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge to partner with NAMI for annual fundraising event

Published 12:40 pm Wednesday, July 24, 2024

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By RACHEL RAIFORD | Staff Writer

Competitors will showcase their cornhole skills during the fourth annual installment of Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic later this year.

The Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic will be hosted by the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, a fraternal organization that serves Shelby County. The organization hosts various fundraisers and events throughout the year with the cornhole classic being one of them.

The fourth rendition of Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic will take place indoors at Family Connection in Alabaster. It will be on Saturday, Aug 24 beginning at 8 a.m. with the first toss being at 10 a.m. 

The cornhole tournament benefits (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and has been organized to raise awareness and provide fundraising for free education and programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. 

Elks Lodge Secretary Leon Johnston said that his family’s relationship with NAMI is part of how the partnership came to life. 

“After my grandson’s death our family was seeking help to cope with the trauma,” Johnston said. “We found NAMI. That’s why the fundraiser is called Caleb’s Classic, to honor his memory.” 

Johnston said that during a lodge meeting the topic came up, and they decided that they wanted to raise awareness to the effects of mental illness and become involved in that education process. 

“It will be a great time, but also an opportunity for us to reach out to the community with NAMI,” Johnston said.

All sponsorship levels include meals and beverage tickets for each team member. There are also door prizes as well as a charity raffle that will go on during the event. Cash prizes will also be offered to the top four spots in the cornhole tournament. 

“We’re always excited about this opportunity to partner with NAMI to not only raise funds for their purpose, but also put on this event for the community,” Johnston said. 

Those interested in sponsoring or donating to Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic may visit Namishelby.org for more information.