On a sunlit Saturday in Innisfil, the thud of beanbags and the roar of cheers became more than the soundtrack of a game—they echoed a community’s determination to care for its own.
The inaugural Cornhole Classic, hosted at the Innisfil Stroud Community Centre, drew over 150 neighbours, friends, and families together for more than spirited competition. This was a day where laughter mingled with purpose, all in support of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) ambitious ‘Keep Life Wild’ campaign. Over thirty teams tossed, strategized, and celebrated not just for fun, but to raise funds for a cause close to every heart in Simcoe Muskoka: accessible, world-class local healthcare.
Anne Smith, vice chair of the RVH Foundation’s board, stood among the crowd, her pride unmistakable. “That spirit of generosity and community is what RVH is all about,” she reflected, her words carrying above the music and friendly taunts between competitors. For Smith and fellow organizer Mary-Anne Frith, the tournament’s more than $115,000 in donations meant more than a number—it meant momentum to build a new healthcare facility in Innisfil and strengthen care for cancer, cardiac, trauma, mental health, and stroke in the region.
There was friendly rivalry, yes, but even more moving was the way strangers cheered one another with each well-aimed toss. The event’s true victory lay in the shared belief that “ending hallway medicine and reducing wait times” wasn’t just an RVH slogan, but a community promise, as Frith passionately declared. The scent of barbecue lingered in the air, children’s laughter spilled onto the lawn, and the sun painted the faces of old friends reunited by a cause that transcends age or background.
The Cornhole Classic, organizers promise, will return “bigger, better, and wilder than ever.” Yet, for many in Innisfil, the real legacy is the memory of a day when everyday people became heroes in their own backyard—one enthusiastic toss at a time.
References:
RVH ‘Cornhole Classic’ raises more than $115K for healthcare
