By MADDY VITALE
The Oar House Pub’s 5th Annual Polar Bear Baggo Tournament in Sea Isle will not only make for some fun and friendly-competition among participants, but proceeds from the event will help with improvements to the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church.
Each year Oar House Pub owner James Bennett hosts a baggo tournaments and each year, the event is to help raise funds where needed. The church has had the same siding since it was constructed in 1958 and is in need of updating.
“It is a worthwhile cause. All of the money will go to the Methodist Church Building Fund,” Bennett explained Sunday.
The tournament will be held on Sunday, Feb. 20. Bennett noted that a lot will be included in the $60 entry fee for each team. Check-in begins at noon. The entry fee per team includes a pub-style buffet in the tent, a cover to enter the Oar House Pub, 318 42nd Place, discount drinks and live entertainment.
There will be a large tent constructed outside the church at 4102 Central Ave. for the tournament.
In order to be a part of the tournament, however, Bennett said people need to sign up and sign up fast.
“It’s a really, really exciting event. We are putting a 40 by 80 tent over at the Methodist Church. We are taking up to 80 teams. The South Jersey Cornhole Association is running the event for us,” Bennett said. “The teams are taking off. People are signing up very quickly, so let’s get those signups going now before they run out.”
Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid said she is so appreciative of what Bennett is doing for the church.
“We are just really grateful to Jimmy and his generosity to the church and the community,” she said.
The church has been in need of new siding for years.
“We are cognizant of the fact that the church is not pretty on the outside. What the money from the baggo tournament will do is go toward the siding for the church,” Doyle-Waid said. “It’s God’s house and we want people to come in. It is important for us to present a good face to Sea Isle as well.”
She pointed out that the church is at the entrance to town.
“It is the gateway to the community,” Doyle-Waid said, adding that the church looks tired. “We are trying to do our part. City Hall looks beautiful. The Fire Department looks beautiful. The Community Lodge looks pretty and the church looks the same as it did in 1960.”
While she estimated that residing the church and the parsonage could cost around $250,000, every little bit of funds raised helps. She said it would likely take around two years to have all of the necessary funding and the project completed.
“We are so thankful to Jimmy. It is an incredible gift. It is a donation to the church and ultimately to the community, because it will beautify the community,” Doyle-Waid added. “I am a firm believer when one of us flourishes, we all flourish.”
The church continues to provide food through its Food Cupboard to those in need in the community and the surrounding area. Doyle-Waid said the community continues to be generous in donating to the cupboard.
The baggo tournament is just one of several events Bennett has in store for his customers at Oar House Pub over President’s Day Weekend that will also help other worthy causes, he said.
Two days earlier, on Feb. 18, Bennett will host a Polar Bear King and Queen contest at the pub.
The proceeds of that event will benefit the Cape May County Special Services School District. In addition, attendees are being asked to bring non-perishable food items for the United Methodist Church’s Food Cupboard.”
“We are really excited about it,” Bennett said of the baggo tournament. “It adds another event for us, and it’s going to be great.”
