Prove Your Cornhole Skills for a Good Cause at Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westport

Calling all cornhole champions and competitors: Here's how you can help your country while enjoying an ice-cold beer with our local veterans and active military.

On Sunday, Sept. 17, Mission 22's New Bedford team will take over Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westport for its annual cornhole tournament.

I've been a proud member of the local Mission 22 chapter for several years. Believe me when I say that the simple act of just talking to someone who has served or is currently serving over a cold beer goes a long way.

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This event not only means a lot to me and the rest of the crew over at New Bedford's Mission 22 but to those who are in a daily mental fight and simply need an ear.

"We're excited to have our cornhole tournament for the fifth year at Buzzards Bay Brewing," Marine Corps Company Commander Josh Bruins said. "We're expecting to see a lot of returning faces but also hope to see many new ones. Being able to do these events annually helps us to build momentum and further solidify the community of people in our area who have gathered around this cause."

Bruins served in Afghanistan from 2009-2010 and continues to fight the war on post-traumatic stress disorder, bringing awareness to the jarring statistics of veteran suicide. Along with Bruins are Mission 22 ambassadors Jared Lucas and Mike Bates, who play huge roles in making sure the message to fight PTSD is loud and clear.

"We keep going because the mission doesn't end," Bruins said. "The struggle doesn't end despite how many successes and positive results we achieve because in each veteran's life the struggle never truly ends."

The cost to join the tournament is $60 per team, which includes entry into the competition and a complimentary beer for each player from Buzzards Bay Brewing (for those 21 and older).

Check-in is at 10:30 a.m. and the first bag is tossed at 11.

This will be a double-elimination cornhole tournament with standard boards and rules. Prizes will go to the top three finishing teams. Shirts and merchandise will be sold separately.

This event is open to all ages even though it takes place at a brewery. Wristbands will be handed out to those who are 21-plus for the purchase of alcohol on the Buzzards Bay grounds. Anyone under 21 can still participate in the tournament.