- Details
-
Tuesday, 01 April 2025
-
Written by Sheila D. Barker
Fayetteville Academy is excited to host its 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament on April 12 at 1 p.m., a family-friendly event that promises fun for participants of all ages. The event will take place at 3200 Cliffdale Rd., rain or shine, and will feature a lively atmosphere with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
As Cumberland County's sole independent, secular school serving Pre-K through 12th grade, Fayetteville Academy relies on fundraising events such as the Cornhole Tournament to sustain their educational programs for students.
“The Cornhole Tournament at Fayetteville Academy is designed to bring the community together in a fun and engaging way while supporting key initiatives that enhance our campus. Open to the public, this event welcomes alumni back to campus, encourages current students and families to connect, and fosters camaraderie among friends and supporters of the Academy. Beyond the friendly competition, the tournament plays a vital role in raising funds for essential campus improvements and beautification efforts, ensuring that Fayetteville Academy continues to provide a top-tier environment for learning and growth. It’s a fantastic way to show Eagle pride while making a lasting impact on our school and strengthening our community relationships”, says Jasie Landeros, Director of Advancement.
While the cornhole tournament is the main attraction, there are plenty of other activities to keep the entire family entertained. Kids will love the bounce houses and face painting stations, ensuring they have just as much fun as the adults.
Additionally, a live auction with must-have prizes will add to the excitement of the day. Some of the baskets available include the Game Day basket, perfect for sports fans, including tickets to a Carolina Panthers game and a UNC Football game, plus gift cards for fan merchandise and all the essentials for the ultimate tailgating experience. The Backyard Bash basket brings the fun home with an outdoor projector, glow-in-the-dark party supplies, a giant Jenga set, and everything needed to make delicious s’mores for an unforgettable family night. No event is complete without great food, and the 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament will not disappoint. A variety of food trucks will be on-site, serving up delicious eats to keep participants fueled throughout the day.
Patrons can savor delectable smoked meats from Red, White, & Blue BBQ, a military veteran-owned mobile kitchen that specializes in innovative takes on traditional American barbecue. Those seeking hearty classics will appreciate Scotty's All American Food Truck, featuring homemade favorites like flavorful hamburgers, golden-fried chicken sandwiches, grilled patty melts, and traditional frankfurters.
To round out the experience, Carolina Snoballs & Funnel Cakes will be present, dishing up cool shaved ice treats, hot crispy funnel cakes, and smooth ice cream for dessert lovers. The diverse menu options ensure every guest finds something appealing. From savory snacks to sweet treats, there's something to satisfy every palate. Come hungry and leave happy!
Adults can enjoy a refreshing drink at the beverage tent, which will offer a selection of brews and other beverages. It's the perfect place to relax, socialize, and take a break from the competition.
Ready to join the fun? Grab a partner—whether young or old—and devise a creative team name. Sign up now to secure a spot in the tournament and compete for cash prizes: $300 for 1st place and $200 for 2nd place. Team registration fee is $100, and registration can be done online at https://www.fayacademy.org/support/events/cornhole-team-register.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information visit https://form.jotform.com/240375964483163 or email Landeros at jlanderos@fayacademy.org.
Whether you're a seasoned cornhole player or a complete novice, this event is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition, win cash prizes, and create lasting memories.
- Details
-
Tuesday, 01 April 2025
-
Written by Amber Little
Dust off the sequins, throw on the platforms and prepare for a funky night out. Connections of Cumberland County is celebrating a decade of impact in the community with Dance Your HeArt Out Disco and Silent Auction: A night of Dining, Disco, and Gratitude on Thursday, April 10 at Studio 215 (215 Williams Street). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy a fantastic dinner, bid on local art in the silent auction, and boogie down the dance floor for a Boogie Battle dance battle. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at https://www.connectionsofcc.org/upcoming-events/. All proceeds will go directly to helping single women with and without children who are at risk of experiencing homelessness in Cumberland County.
Homelessness is trending upward, not just nationally, but locally, according to the latest point-in-time count conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development at the beginning of the year.
Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville have some resources for individuals who are currently homeless, like the newly built Fayetteville Day Resource Center and partnerships with local organizations like Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center to open white flag shelters and provide access to food and personal hygiene products on various sides of town. Connections of Cumberland County is an organization whose mission is to prevent as many at-risk women and children as possible from experiencing homelessness with proactive programming that supports financial literacy, education and connects them to social services they qualify for. For a decade, the organization has been making a difference in the lives of the women who walk through the door of the day resource center, fulfilling their mission, Connections of Cumberland County collaborates with community resources to empower women experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to develop self-sufficiency and enhance their children’s future.
Connections of Cumberland County offers a variety of non-emergency programs, including a Day Resource Center located at 119 N. Cool Spring Street. At the DRC, women have access to:
Case Management: Clients receive help determining what social services they qualify for and obtaining the proper paperwork to submit their applications.
Empowerment Groups: Clients have access to support groups that support them mentally and emotionally.
Computer Lab: Technology is a known barrier for those facing homelessness. The computer lab provides clients with access to fill out applications for housing, social services, and employment.
Connect to Fellowship: A program run in collaboration with local faith-based organizations that offers clients an afternoon of fellowship with one another, with snacks, games, and child literacy activities.
Mail Station: For clients who do not have an address, CCC offers a mail station for clients to receive mail. This is important when applying for some services and employment.
Hygiene Closet: Clients can come in and pick up necessary hygiene products twice a month.
Birthday & Award Closet: Active case management clients can visit the birthday/award closet to pick up a gift for a child 12 years old or younger. Once the client has reached a level of stability, they buy a new gift to place in the closet.
Children’s Room: Eliminating another barrier for clients, CCC offers a room just for the children of clients. This space provides the children with a kid-friendly space with plenty of activities.
Budgeting Workshops: Clients receiving financial help from CCC must commit to completing budgeting workshops, ensuring financial behaviors are conducive to future success.
Connections of Cumberland County is dedicated to identifying the cause of homelessness, removing barriers to resources, and guiding clients throughout the process.
Executive Director Crystal DePietro started as an intern with the organization in January 2015 as a member of the inaugural Connect 2 Internship program. This program allows college students studying social work to receive clinical hours while serving as case managers for CCC. She became the Executive Director in July 2020.
DePietro graduated from UNC Pembroke with a master’s in social work and instantly went to what she thought was her dream job, only to be gently redirected to Connections of Cumberland County. She’s been a staple in the organization ever since and helped create most of the programs at CCC.
“When I finished up my internship, they hired me as a case manager, but the main focus was for me to build out one of our first initiatives, our Connect 2 Redirect program. That was one of the first programs I got the opportunity to put roots to and really make it what it is today. I just continued to grow programs and after two years of being there, I was able to take on what we call the Connect 2 Internship program. We had interns coming through, but with that program, I really got the opportunity to work on making it truly meaningful for our interns,” she said. “I got the opportunity to really advance it to where it is today and we partner with 36 universities nationwide. We’ve had over 130 students come through the program, BSW, MSW, and other public service degrees. Over 40,000 hours have been donated to our agency from students.”
The work that Connections of Cumberland County does is vital to those who want change and better for themselves and their family. Contrary to popular belief, those who are at risk for homelessness or those who already experience it, are not lazy or trying to manipulate the system.
That’s why the programs offered at CCC require the clients to meet the agency halfway and be proactive by searching for employment and housing, finishing their education, and attending the required budgeting classes. DePietro, her staff, and volunteers are dedicated to helping, but they also realize it is a personal choice for clients to see these programs through.
“It’s not manipulation, it’s survival. Oftentimes, we’re like ‘oh, they’re just trying to manipulate the system.’ No, it’s a learned skill, it’s a survival skill and they’re just trying to survive and provide. And so rather than put them down for that, we show them a different way, give them an opportunity to see something different. I think that we just get caught up in [the thinking that] you need to do this a certain way. Why do I need to do it this way?” she said. “There’s structure for a reason. We thrive on structure. Everybody thrives on structure, but if I’ve never had structure or if I’ve never been given the opportunity… I have a service operation manager (Monique Bryant), she’ll tell a client very quickly, [after they say they can’t do this or that] You don’t have to do anything. It is completely up to you. This is our policy. A lot of times they’ll hear this and say, ‘You’re right, I can choose to work this program or I can choose not to.’ We’re not going to make them do anything.”
DePietro loves her job and the direct impact it allows her to see, saying, “I get the opportunity, because I was there early on, to really see people’s lives change. And I teach my interns and my staff, [that] you may never see the fruit of your labor ... what you do every time a client walks in here is, you plant a seed because they may have never heard it that way, or they may have never seen that they can do something different, or they may never had someone believe in them to do something different. You get the opportunity to be the change.”
Connections of Cumberland County would like to recognize its impact partnership with United Way of Cumberland County. This partnership is essential to funding programs offered by the organization. Connections of Cumberland County would also like to recognize its other community partners, the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland Community Foundation Inc., the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County, and St. John's Episcopal Church.
To learn more about Connections of Cumberland County, become a volunteer, or donate, visit https://www.connectionsofcc.org/.
Connections of Cumberland County is located at 119 N. Cool Spring St. in downtown Fayetteville. The agency helps women, either with kids or without, the find their feet. Photos courtesy of Connections of Cumberland County)
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
