EmberHope recently hosted its first-ever Cornament for Hope, and it was nothing short of a success—a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, music, raffle prizes, and, most importantly, purpose. The event took place at The Sandbox in Derby and brought together community members, sponsors, and supporters to raise critical funds and awareness for foster youth and families.
The idea for the Cornament came from Charissa Wall, Associate Director of Development, who saw an opportunity to contribute to EmberHope’s outreach in a unique and impactful way. When tasked with making business connections in Sedgwick County, Wall said, “I knew I couldn’t provide what was being asked, but I could add to the Development Team in another way.” Drawing from her background in non-profit event planning—including a previous cornhole fundraiser that raised over $10,000 for a friend’s family—she proposed a tournament-style event that would bring the community together for a cause.
Wall developed a detailed plan for the event that covered logistics, marketing, and sponsorship opportunities. “I showed Mitch Drees, VP of Development, all the experience I had with event planning, and then created a plan for the cornhole tournament,” she said. “He shared it with leadership, and from there, we brought it to the whole team. Everyone came together to make it happen.”
The Development Team quickly rallied around the idea, each member taking ownership of key roles like gathering raffle items, securing sponsors, and promoting the event. “We all had a part—marketing, sponsorships, raffle donations,” Wall shared. “It was amazing to see everyone step up, be delegated to, and take on leadership roles. We really worked together to define what a successful event would look like.”
EmberHope also partnered with The Cornhole Cave to handle the technical side of the tournament. This allowed the team to focus on engaging attendees and creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere. In total, nearly 20 local businesses sponsored the event, showing tremendous support for local foster youth and families.
Community response on the day of the event was overwhelmingly positive. “During the event, we had so many people tell us how great it was and that they couldn’t wait for the next one,” Wall said. “I even had people email me afterward just to say what a great experience they had—especially when it came to the raffle items. It was fun to call out a number and see someone jump up and down because they’d won something they really wanted.”
One of the event’s biggest successes was its ability to reach a new audience. “I’m most excited that we reached a different group of folks who didn’t know about EmberHope before,” shared Wall. “Whether it was people playing in the tournament, business sponsors, or even just folks seeing our billboards—we were able to share our mission with more of the community.”
For many staff members, the day was a highlight in their time with EmberHope. Virginia Lewis, Development & Volunteer Coordinator, said, “That was the most fun I’ve had at an EmberHope event during my entire tenure.” Her sentiment was echoed by many others who attended or volunteered.
Looking back, Wall said the most rewarding part was watching the Development Team come together around a shared goal. “We all have great strengths that we bring to the table, and seeing those highlighted through this event was amazing,” she reflected. “I was hoping to see folks having fun, raising funds, and learning more about EmberHope—and that’s exactly what happened.”
As for the future? Wall hopes the Cornament grows into an annual tradition. “I’d love to see it become a multi-day event with even more teams and amazing corporate sponsors—something that can really move the needle in meeting the needs of EmberHope.”
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible sponsors who made this event possible. Your generosity and support have a direct impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. We are so grateful for their investment in the community.
Want to get involved? Visit our brand-new Events page to learn more about how you can volunteer, donate, attend upcoming events, and help change lives through your time, talents, and support.
Together, we are building a community where every child has hope and a future.
