Cornhole for a Cause

Today WSA hosts their 8th annual cornhole tournament and silent auction fundraiser with all ticket sales and proceeds going to Star House, a social service center aimed at addressing youth homelessness in central Ohio. WSA’s mission is to create a better world and better experiences through architecture and design. With a focus on building and renovating workplaces and learning environments, the studio puts an emphasis on how the design and function of spaces can foster creativity and connection. It is a closely held value of the studio to embrace community and support efforts to provide opportunities for all. That value has been reflected in the past eight years of fundraising that brings together local vendors, corporate sponsors – and of course cornhole – in an effort to provide donations to Columbus non-profits.

This year’s tournament and auction is the second year WSA supports Star House. Last year the event collected over $12,000 in donations which was the largest third-party donation received by the organization. Star House is a social service agency that operates Central Ohio’s only drop-in center for youth, ages 14-24, who are experiencing homelessness and their small children. They offer young people a safe respite from the streets, immediate access to basic needs and connections to stabilizing resources, such as housing, transportation, health care, employment, education, addiction services, legal aid, government benefits, and more. Along with Finance Fund and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, Star House operates Carol Stewart Village – a neighborhood for young adults, ages 18-24, with on-site programs and services. “It’s been incredible to watch this event grow from a friendly tournament to a full-scale production where we’re able to help really impactful groups raise meaningful donations. We love this community. In our designs, in our work, in our lives, we are all about building people up and making the world better and a little more enjoyable for everyone,” Amber Aitken, WSA Studio Leader and event organizer said. “The stakes have gotten higher too. We’re pretty competitive in here, so raising more money than the year before is always the goal. That’s becoming our new challenge.” WSA’s full team of Columbus and Chicago studio members come together to host the yearly event. This year 36 corporate sponsors donated to place teams into the March Madness-style bracket. During rounds of Midwesternly competition, event guests have the chance to bid on silent auction items donated by two local vendors and retailers. The event also features local food trucks and live music.

Sponsors include Premier Commercial Construction, King Business Interiors, Shaw Contract, Dupler Office, HDA, Miller Knoll, Office Revolution, Lighting Systems of Columbus, Teknion, Venn Growth, and Continental Office. Saucy Brew Works and Parsons North Brewing Co. Join in support through donation of beverages for competitors and guests. Once the dust – and the beanbags – settle, the event concludes with the presentation of donations to a Star House representative. Star House also collects donations from attendees in the form of clothing and household items.

They say cornhole is about competition, but once a year, outside of the WSA studio in German Village, cornhole is about community; it’s about Columbus.