The partnership between The Classroom and the Valor Support Project grew naturally out of years of community-focused events. DeVries has hosted bags tournaments and weekly bag play at The Classroom for more than three years, often using those events to support charitable causes. After connecting with Valor Support Project leadership, the idea of a dedicated fundraiser took shape. The result was a successful bags tournament that has now evolved into an annual kickoff fundraiser for the organization.
In addition to the tournament, The Classroom currently hosts a Queen of Hearts drawing benefiting the Valor Support Project, with a jackpot exceeding $14,800 and only a handful of cards remaining. Strong attendance and community enthusiasm have helped make both efforts a success, reinforcing the impact of local support.
For DeVries, being involved in a project that supports veterans is deeply meaningful. As a local business owner, he sees firsthand how community-driven events can make a difference. He credits the Valor Support Project team for their dedication and emphasizes that increased visibility leads to more support, more fundraising, and ultimately more help for veterans in the area.
Events like the Tossing for Valor Bags Tournament serve a dual purpose: providing a fun, welcoming atmosphere while also raising funds for an important cause. The bags community at The Classroom has consistently shown up to support benefit events, and many regular players are veterans themselves. The combination of friendly competition, social connection, and shared purpose makes these events especially impactful.
While weekly bag play at The Classroom draws mostly local participants, larger tournaments often attract players from several hours away, depending on prize payouts. Thanks to platforms like Scoreholio, players traveling through the area can easily discover tournaments and join in, adding to the event’s reach and excitement.
The Tossing for Valor Bags Tournament will take place on Saturday, February 21, with bags flying at 3:00 p.m. and sign-up beginning at 2:00 p.m. The cost is $40 per team in a bring-your-own-partner format. Seventy percent of the entry fees will be paid out in prize money, with the remaining thirty percent benefiting the Valor Support Project. Additional fundraising activities, including a 50/50 raffle, are also planned.
The event will be held inside the former Nelson School building at 207 Pope Street, now known as The Classroom. The tournament will take place in the old gym, which can accommodate eight sets of boards, allowing for multiple games to run simultaneously. Seating will be available for spectators, and food will be offered, with the kitchen opening earlier than usual to serve participants before play begins.
Tournament play will start with four round-robin games per team, followed by ranked bracket play in a double-elimination format. Depending on the number of teams, the tournament may include both A and B brackets, ensuring a more balanced and enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.
Registration can be done on the day of the tournament, and while the Scoreholio app is optional, it helps players receive game updates and board assignments. Event updates and promotions are primarily shared through Facebook, including posts from both The Classroom and the Valor Support Project.
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