Wacky competitions and friendly rivals garners funds for over 200 turkeys towards 2023 holiday drive
It was all about fun and games for a good cause Saturday at the Folsom Eagles Lodge, with the good cause being the priority in the combination. It’s known as Folsom’s famed Fools Games, a product of the Friends of Folsom charity.
While it may not bring together top athletes like the Super Bowl or March Madness, this annual affair is unique in its own special way. It brings a group of generous ordinary hard-working folks together, competing in a variety of silly games you may find at a backyard party, all to raise money that eventually leads to helping feed 10,000 families in need each November.
While virtually none of them were contested on any official field or court, Saturday’s competitions did require unique special skills; skills that were just performed in a variety of unconventional ways. One could sum many of them up as well-planned shenanigans, with some of the best “shenanigators” going head-to-head in the quest for victory.
Throughout the day, over 40 contestants competed in various teams of two. The teams paid their entry fees, enjoyed lunch and libations and partook in several competitions Saturday. Among the contests were indoor cornhole and golf and others.
One returning favorite was a leaning tower of ping pong and giant beer pong. What is giant beer pong? It’s just like the well-known home game, only it is, well, optimized for extra talented players by using full-size trash cans as targets for a volleyball. The day even included a giant-sized Connect Four game, where contestants competed on an extra-large version of the family board game. There were a few other unconventional competitions that popped up during the afternoon, games that weren’t on the agenda and some that were invented on the fly.
When the games conclude each year, the overall winner’s name is added to the perpetual plaque that is proudly displayed inside the lodge. More importantly, several thousand dollars are raised that helps the local charity carry on its philanthropy throughout the community year-round.
“The Fools Games are exactly what Friends of Folsom is all about,” said Friends of Folsom President Jeff Garcia. “We are a group of people getting together for a good time to support a great cause. Like we say, we put the fun in fundraising and this event is exactly that.”
Over the years, Friends of Folsom has raised money to feed more than 10,000 families during its annual Turkey Drive, adopted more than 100 families during the annual Adopt a Family Christmas Drive and Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaigns, and contributed to dozens of local causes, including the Folsom Stars Program, Folsom Hope, area food banks, Folsom Coat Drive and Folsom youth sports.
“This spirited group did a lot to help the community this weekend and it was all done while having a great time. This year, they raised funds to secure 200 turkeys toward our annual turkey drive,” said Friend’s of Folsom’s Sarah Woods. “Our goal is always to help the community but we are hoping to do it while everyone is having a good time.”
For more information about the Friends of Folsom, go to its Facebook page, Friends of Folsom, or call 916-612-2737.
