Horseshoes for Heroes: Fundraiser creates unique game

CHAFFEE -- After receiving a $10,000 cut in federal funding, Tina Dohogne-Nations decided there had to be a way to raise additional funds for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program/Volunteer Intergenerational Center of Scott and Cape Counties.

Her solution? An enlarged, wacky version of horseshoes that doesn't require any type of skill from any of its players as they play through 12 over-the-top horseshoe pits set up on a farm.

"It will be a fun event. It's something unique and different," said Nations, who is the executive director of RSVP/VIC.

The first-ever "Horseshoes 4 Everyday Heroes Tournament" will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Al Friga Farm (Paul Friga) located on Highway 77 between Chaffee and Oran, just off County Road 248.

The Marine Corps League will present the Color Guard/Honor Guard before the event to honor all veterans and military personnel.

Nations said the idea for this fundraiser originally came from Mitch Miller, who co-created the annual Kow Pasture Klassic -- a nontraditional golf game that's raised funds for the Kenny Rogers Children's Center and Missouri Veterans Home for over 30 years.

"Back in the 1980s, they had 'Horseshoes for Herb' at Redbones (tavern) in Kelso, and I actually played in it," Nations said. "You didn't have to have any skill at all to play. If you can't throw horseshoes in a traditional way, that's OK."

Nations said she already organizes a golf tournament fundraiser each year for RSVP/VIC, but with the extra cut in funding, she wanted to create something more innovative and unique.

"(RSVP/VIC employee) Christy McClain and I met with Mitch and Mike Kohlfeld and asked if we could 'kidnap' their idea," Nations said. "Mike has always been a strong supporter of RSVP/VIC."

From that meeting, Nations said, she and McClain have worked to develop 12 over-the-top horseshoe pits."

"With my warped sense of humor -- and Christy's -- we came up with some fun ideas," Nations said.

Among the 12 pits include ringing a huge bra, a pair of gigantic underwear, a toilet seat, kiddie pool filled with empty cans, deer antlers duct-taped to a stake, etc. Nations said her husband has been instrumental in creating the pits.

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Want to play?

What: "Horseshoes 4 (Everyday) Heroes Tournament" fundraiser for Retired Volunteer Senior Program/Volunteer Intergenerational Center of Scott and Cape Counties

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27

Where: Al Friga Farm (Paul Friga) located on Highway 77 between Chaffee and Oran, just off Scott County Road 248 (signs will be in place to direct participants)

Cost: $50 for teams of two players. Proceeds will benefit RSVP/VIC. To register or learn more, contact RSVP/VIC at (573) 335-7555, (573) 887-3664 or (573) 471-8584.