Monopoly Tournament Raises Money For Stone County OACAC
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October 18, 2018
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Samantha Akromis, of Springfield, left, and Craig Ragsdale, of Dallas, Texas, play in the Stone County OACAC Monopoly Tournament on Saturday, October 13.
Isaac Estes-Jones
This Saturday, October 13, saw the 10th Annual Stone County OACAC (Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation) Monopoly tournament. 38 people came out for the tournament, according to Stone County Neighborhood Center Supervisor Shyra Bilyeu. All funds raised at the event remain in Stone County to help out those in need.
“This is one of our bigger fundraisers every year,” Bilyeu said. “We have people come from all over to play and help support our mission. This year we have people from as far away as Dallas and California. But every penny we raise stays right here in Stone County.”
OACAC works to support those in need in the county through a number of programs, orchestrated out of the Neighborhood Center in Branson West. These programs include emergency utility assistance, as well as assistance with rent. Beyond financial assistance, OACAC offers life-skills courses, school readiness fairs and community projects. “The goal is to help people stay or get on their feet,” Bilyeu said.
One participant this year was Craig Ragsdale, from Dallas, Texas. “This is my third year coming up here for this,” Ragsdale said. “My first year, I told a friend that moved to this area that I was going to come up and win the tournament, and I did. Then, last year, my son won.”
Ragsdale has been playing Monopoly for years. “My family has always played Monopoly,” he said. A cancer survivor, Ragsdale said he was looking for a way to give back.
“About three years ago, I started googling, looking for a way to give back and have some fun. I found out about this tournament and decided to come up and play,” Ragsdale said.
“Games like this are good for kids’ minds,” he said. “It’s not just strategy, but you have to be social, too. Someone might not take a deal at first. You can’t just get upset and quit. You have to take some time to re-strategize and work with the people you are playing with if you want to win.”
Ragsdale praised the Stone County OACAC Monopoly tournament. “It’s a great event for a good cause. I just wish more people would come out to support it.”
Players who registered to play were given a t-shirt, breakfast and lunch. They were also the only ones able to bid in a silent auction of many items donated by area businesses. There was also a 50-50 raffle that raised a total of $400. Also included in that raffle was a 1946 edition of Monopoly, including an early design of Mr. Moneybags and the original money.
Another attendee from outside of the area was Ken Koury, a nationally ranked Monopoly player from Los Angeles.
After a morning round of play, lasting 90 minutes, lunch was provided to attendees. During the initial round of play, each table’s banker was a professional banker from area institutions.
Lunch was donated by several area restaurants. Lunchtime entertainment was provided by Lori Locke.
This year marked the first missed by longtime OACAC board member Deerdra Kelly, who recently lost a battle with cancer. Kelly was in charge of the OACAC nut sales fundraiser. This year, the Stone County OACAC honored her memory with a plaque that rested next to the championship plaque, given out at the end of the event.
For more information, or if you are in need of services, Stone County OACAC Neighborhood Center can be reached at (417) 739-1130 or at 15060 Business 13 South, Suite 11, in Branson West.
This Saturday, October 13, saw the 10th Annual Stone County OACAC (Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation) Monopoly tournament. 38 people came out for the tournament, according to Stone County Neighborhood Center Supervisor Shyra Bilyeu. All funds raised at the event remain in Stone County to help out those in need.
“This is one of our bigger fundraisers every year,” Bilyeu said. “We have people come from all over to play and help support our mission. This year we have people from as far away as Dallas and California. But every penny we raise stays right here in Stone County.”
OACAC works to support those in need in the county through a number of programs, orchestrated out of the Neighborhood Center in Branson West. These programs include emergency utility assistance, as well as assistance with rent. Beyond financial assistance, OACAC offers life-skills courses, school readiness fairs and community projects. “The goal is to help people stay or get on their feet,” Bilyeu said.
One participant this year was Craig Ragsdale, from Dallas, Texas. “This is my third year coming up here for this,” Ragsdale said. “My first year, I told a friend that moved to this area that I was going to come up and win the tournament, and I did. Then, last year, my son won.”
Ragsdale has been playing Monopoly for years. “My family has always played Monopoly,” he said. A cancer survivor, Ragsdale said he was looking for a way to give back.
“About three years ago, I started googling, looking for a way to give back and have some fun. I found out about this tournament and decided to come up and play,” Ragsdale said.
“Games like this are good for kids’ minds,” he said. “It’s not just strategy, but you have to be social, too. Someone might not take a deal at first. You can’t just get upset and quit. You have to take some time to re-strategize and work with the people you are playing with if you want to win.”
Ragsdale praised the Stone County OACAC Monopoly tournament. “It’s a great event for a good cause. I just wish more people would come out to support it.”
Players who registered to play were given a t-shirt, breakfast and lunch. They were also the only ones able to bid in a silent auction of many items donated by area businesses. There was also a 50-50 raffle that raised a total of $400. Also included in that raffle was a 1946 edition of Monopoly, including an early design of Mr. Moneybags and the original money.
Another attendee from outside of the area was Ken Koury, a nationally ranked Monopoly player from Los Angeles.
After a morning round of play, lasting 90 minutes, lunch was provided to attendees. During the initial round of play, each table’s banker was a professional banker from area institutions.
Lunch was donated by several area restaurants. Lunchtime entertainment was provided by Lori Locke.
This year marked the first missed by longtime OACAC board member Deerdra Kelly, who recently lost a battle with cancer. Kelly was in charge of the OACAC nut sales fundraiser. This year, the Stone County OACAC honored her memory with a plaque that rested next to the championship plaque, given out at the end of the event.
For more information, or if you are in need of services, Stone County OACAC Neighborhood Center can be reached at (417) 739-1130 or at 15060 Business 13 South, Suite 11, in Branson West.