7B Baggers fundraise for local family
From left to right: Frankie Good, Amelia Boyd, Chris Larson, Gina Lembeck and Ryan Huffy pose for a photo Tuesday morning at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.
Courtesy AMELIA BOYD
SANDPOINT — The 7B Baggers Cornhole Club has fundraised to donate $1,300 this week to a local family and their baby.
The group decided to fundraise for the family after Darcey Smith, fairgrounds and facility director, reached out saying an employee’s baby had costly medical expenses, and asking if the group might be able to help.
The baby, Lyndon, was born this winter with serious medical complications that required a month-long stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. That stay, along with continuing medical needs, has put added financial strain on his parents, Chris and Arin Larson, said club treasurer Amelia Boyd.
The club played at the Bonner County Fairgrounds to maintain social distancing during the pandemic over the past year, Boyd said. When Smith reached out, they knew they wanted to help.
“She asked us if we would do a fundraiser, and we thought ‘Absolutely,’” Boyd said. “It was our pleasure to do it. We feel like we’re part of the Bonner County Fairgrounds family.”
The check, delivered Tuesday morning following the fundraising tournament on June 5, is the second major donation the club has made to the community this month. The first was a $1,000 donation from fundraising at a different tournament to the Bonner Community Food Bank.
The club is already making plans for another fundraising tournament at 6 p.m. on July 9 and 9 a.m. July 10, with proceeds and raffle items to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates, which trains advocates to represent child abuse and neglect victims.
The event will be the last regional tournament of the season, with intermediate, advanced and singles events, with entry fees based on level for each event.
Participants will also be able to earn points with the American Corn Hole League by competing in the event.
The fundraisers are a key part of what the group stands for, Boyd said. The group, which is registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is composed of around 30 local players who all consider themselves a part of the community.
“Supporting our community is our number one mission statement,” she said.
The group will also have a cornhole event this weekend at 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, at MickDuff's Brewing Company.
More information about the events is available on the 7B Baggers Cornhole Facebook page under the “events” tab.