Competitive cornhole and the community will come together for a great cause at St. Augustine Society’s Fall Fling Festival.
St. Augustine Society, which operates St. Francis House, Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center and SOS Street Outreach Services, has a goal to raise $10,000 to support the creation of the Clean Start laundry facility at the Goff Family Shelter.
The festival will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club, 401 Gun Club Road, St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Society is currently repairing its building at 64 Washington St., which hurricanes Matthew and Irma severely damaged. The new building is named for the Goff family, who, after learning about the urgent need for emergency shelter for families with children in the community, decided that supporting a family shelter would be a meaningful part of their legacy.
Additional funds were provided by donors and a City of St. Augustine grant, allowing the shelter to expand and more than double its capacity for families with minor children. Local Rotary clubs will furnish the common space and kitchenette, while individuals, churches and organizations will provide furnishings for the nine family rooms.
The Fall Fling Festival will raise the funds to complete the laundry facilities.
“Something as simple as a washer and dryer makes a world of difference,” said Joy Case, director of development at the St. Augustine Society, Inc. “It means kids go to school in clean clothes ready to learn, parents can attend job interviews with confidence and families can focus on moving forward instead of worrying about basic needs
The Fall Fling Festival will feature a charity cornhole tournament. Participants can register either as a competitive foursome or play without the pressure by registering as a family team.
The festival will also feature a fall market, hayrides, bounce houses, a cider bar, games, face painting, live bluegrass music by the St. Augustine High School Band and more. Guests can purchase bites from food vendors, including Salt Run Barbecue, Frankie’s Franks and Travelin' Tom's Coffee of St. Augustine.
General admission tickets are $45 for adults and $10 for kids ages 10 and younger. Vendors can purchase a spot in the fall market for $100 per table. To purchase tickets or register as a vendor, go to stfrancisshelter.org/events/fallfling.
Fiesta Falls Miniature Golf at La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites is the presenting sponsor for the Fall Fling Festival. Island Prep School is the venue sponsor for the St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kate Batzel at k.batzel@stfrancisshelter.org.
