Annual Redneck O’limp’ics to benefit veterans
The community is invited out for a day of fun wacky activities — all to support a great cause.
American Legion Post 123 will host its 18th Annual Redneck O’limp’ics on Sept. 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sanibel. Free and open to the public, it will feature friendly competitions, live entertainment and more.
Legion Executive Committeeman Randy Carson explained that Jimmy Gillis started the event.
“It was just a fun thing to do,” he said. “It was a fundraiser for the Legion.”
A member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 123, Gillis passed away a couple of months ago. This year, the event is being held in dedication to his memory and contributions to the Legion.
The proceeds will benefit the Collier-Lee Honor Flight.
“We picked something close to home,” Carson said. “It’s just a heck of an organization.”
The Collier-Lee Honor Flight is dedicated to transporting local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials created in honor of their service and sacrifice to the nation.
“It’s mainly donations to help with their flights,” he said.
Attendees will have a chance to take part in a handful of activities and games.
“There’s three or four of them,” Carson said.
One will be a cornhole competition for teams, and another is called hammer and nail.
“How many times it takes to hammer a nail into a piece of wood,” he said.
Another game will be watermelon bowling.
“We set up two-litter bottles of water and small watermelons and you try to knock them over,” Carson said. “We might also have a ping pong ball toss into a cup or something like that.”
The winners will score bragging rights for the year — and a special award.
“We have O’limp’ic medals for bronze, silver and gold,” he said.
Attendees can sign up for free at the event.
There will also be live music by Corky from 2 to 5 p.m., sponsored by The Great White Grill.
“He plays guitar and sings, and he’ll have one or two people with him,” Carson said of the band. “It’s just good ol’ island music.”
The Legion will serve up burgers and pulled pork for a $12 donation per plate and hotdogs for a $7 donation per plate. Featuring a full liquor bar, there will be a cash bar available for refreshments.
“There’ll be a raffle for a basket of liquor,” he said.
People can purchase tickets for it and a 50/40 raffle at the event.
“It’s 50/40 because it’s redneck,” Carson said.
The public is encouraged to come out and take part.
“The main reason is it’s for the club and the community — and to support the Honor Flight for veterans,” he said.
For more information, call 239-579-0130.
American Legion Post 123 is at 4249 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
18th Annual Redneck O’limp’ics
When
Sept. 5 from 1 to 6 p.m.
Where
American Legion Post 123, 4249 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email