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The fourth annual Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic was held at the Family Connection campus in Alabaster on Aug. 24. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Competitors showcased their cornhole skills while raising funds for a good cause during the fourth annual installment of Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic.

The annual cornhole classic was held at the Family Connection campus in Alabaster on Aug. 24 and was the result of a collaboration between the National Alliance on Mental Illness Shelby and Pelham’s Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge No. 1738.

“The 2024 Classic was a resounding success,” Elk Lodge Secretary Leon Johnston said. “It benefited from its new location and a new competition format.”

This year’s cornhole classic had two competition divisions that recognized the differing skill levels of the contestants with experienced players designated as “The Pro’s” with “The Joe’s,” for those newer to the sport. There were eight Pro’s teams and eighteen Joe’s teams. Each team had two members yielding 52 contestants. The double elimination competition format was spirited in both divisions, and first and second place winners in both divisions were rewarded for their accomplishments.

“The classic received monetary and in-kind support from approximately 30 companies and individuals,” Johnston said. “This support plus the efforts of 10 NAMI Shelby and six Cahaba Valley Elk volunteers contributed to the success of the fourth edition of Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic. Food, beverages, raffle prizes and good old Southern competitiveness came together to provide a successful and fun event.”

The funds generated by the classic will be employed to implement the goals of NAMI-Shelby which are to advocate at the county, state and national levels for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing, education and employment for people with mental illness.

The organization hopes to implements its goals through educating the public about mental illness, working to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and advocating for increased funding for research into the causes of and treatment for mental illness.

The annual cornhole classic is named in remembrance of a young man from Pelham and continues to serve as a  vehicle for fundraising and mental health awareness.

“Caleb, a young man with mental illness, took his life six years ago,” Johnston said. “His family, members of Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, were devasted. In their sorrow it became painfully apparent there was an absence of information regarding available help for the mentally ill and their families.”

As a result, Caleb’s family and the leader of the Elks Lodge decided to support the efforts of NAMI Shelby and to help those coping with mental illness.

“Caleb’s family committed to the mission of NAMI Shelby,” Johnston said. “It is the family’s belief that only through research into causes, discussion without stigmatization and education of the general public will lead to adequate care for the mentally ill.”

Those interested in learning more about NAMI Shelby may visit Namishelby.org.

The fifth annual installment of Caleb’s Charity Cornhole Classic will take place in August 2025.

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