The second annual Salem Crokinole Tournament returns next month.
The Salem Ladies Auxiliary is once again hosting an evening of friendly competition at the Winkler personal care home on Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
“Last year’s was so successful that we just really felt we needed to go for it again. It’s a wonderful event,” shared Susan Hildebrand, Salem Foundation executive coordinator.
Nearly 40 teams came out to the inaugural tournament, raising over $20,000 in pledges to purchase benches for Salem’s pathway project.
“It was just amazing how the community jumped to embrace it and to support it,” Hildebrand said, noting they had initially planned to hold the games in the Heritage Room but the sheer number of teams and all the fans cheering them on quickly saw the event spill out into the adjacent chapel space.
“The thing that we were most thrilled about was how the community and the residents and children of all ages all came together,” she said. “We had residents that were playing, young people playing—it was definitely a community event, and everyone had a great time.”
This time around they’re setting their sights on raising funds to spruce up Salem’s staff lounge, which hasn’t been upgraded in decades and, at times in recent years, has become part storage area while renovations occur elsewhere in the facility.
“We do have a staff lounge at present, but it hasn’t been functional in a lot of ways, so they’re looking to refresh it, take out what is there and start fresh,” Hildebrand said, noting Salem’s team works hard to care for the residents, and they deserve an inviting, comfortable space in which to take their breaks and recharge. “When you take care of your staff, it certainly makes a difference … they’re looking after our residents, after the people who have made this community what it is. When they get a nice place to refresh, they can come out and do well and just give more to the residents.”
There will be prizes once again for tournament’s top teams and organizers are also hoping to have some raffle goodies up for grabs.
Snacks and drinks will also be available by donation.
The tournament is open to all ages. Registration is $5 per player (two players/team). Players are asked to collected pledges for the cause.
There is a limit of 32 teams this year, so register early to avoid disappointment. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 23. Call 1-204-325-4316 to register.
“I just encourage everyone to come out and have fun,” Hildebrand said. “It’s not about how good you play, it’s how much fun you can generate in the environment.
“And if there are family members out there that have a resident here, we encourage them to team up and come and participate.”
