Bags & Brews Cornhole Tournament 2026

About

Join us for an afternoon of friendly cornhole competition at Outlook Enrichment’s annual Bags & Brews Cornhole Fundraising Tournament on August 16th, 2026, at Heavy Brewing! The event supports Outlook Enrichment, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals experiencing vision loss and raising their quality of life. Participants’ contributions help cover the cost of our programs and services for our clients.

Whether you’re a seasoned cornhole pro or a first-time player, this tournament is the perfect opportunity to network, enjoy some great brews, and make a positive impact on our community. To kick off the event, attendees will participate in a complimentary “blind toss” round while wearing sleep shades or vision simulation goggles, offering insight into the experiences of Outlook’s clients and associates who are blind or have low vision. Individuals who are blind or have low vision are encouraged to participate; however, please note that an Adaptive Sports Specialist will not be on site during the event.

Event Details

Raffles & Prizes

Sponsorship Opportunities

We are seeking a few sponsors ($200-$500 contribution) to support the cost of beverages for the event. Please contact Nina Rongisch for more information. As a thank you for your support, sponsors will receive:

Sponsorship or registration questions? Email our Executive Director, Nina Rongisch.

 

Teeing It Up for Youth with Vision Loss

On this episode of Outlook On-Air, Nina Rongisch, Executive Director of Outlook Enrichment, joins us to share more about our mission and Tee It Up Fore Sight, our annual golf tournament happening June 3, 2026. She dives into what makes this year’s event so special, including the return of our youth summer camp, Outlook Explorers, and its impact on youth with vision loss.

Meet Our 2025 Volunteer of the Year: Annie Distefano

At Outlook Enrichment, we’ve witnessed how even a single interaction can turn into a ripple effect that touches countless lives. A tour, a conversation, or even a story that resonates can grow into something bigger than anyone expects. When Annie Distefano first came through our doors with her homeschool group, she had no idea that moment would stay with her, or that it would blossom into new friendships and cherished memories.

Today, we’re proud to celebrate Annie as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year and recognize the passion and kindness she brings to everything she does.

 

Reconnecting with Outlook Enrichment

In 2023, Annie and her daughter, Abby, who was then Queen of the Santa Lucia Festival, reconnected with Outlook in a special way. Inspired by the festival’s mission to honor St. Lucy, the patron saint of the blind, they recalled their past tour and felt drawn to learn more about Outlook Enrichment and how they could give back to the blind and low vision community.

Since then, Annie has become a familiar and uplifting presence within our community. In her role as Director of Housing, Community Service & Academics for the Omaha Lancers, she has helped strengthen community partnerships and expand awareness, creating experiences such as Skating with the Lancers. During the event, players offered guidance and encouragement as many blind or visually impaired participants stepped onto the ice for the first time.

Reflecting on their experience with Outlook, Annie shared,

“Abby and I have met so many wonderful people along our Outlook journey that will always hold a special place in our hearts. The way we have been accepted into the Outlook community has been remarkable! Not one person that we have met has ever shown that they cannot do something because of their visual impairment. I love to see how everyone comes together for the common good of helping one another.”

 

Creating a Ripple Effect of Support

As Annie’s connection to Outlook grew, so did her involvement. From serving on the Outlook Enrichment Board of Directors to volunteering at community events like bowling nights and braille bingo to supporting our annual gala, Vision Beyond Sight, Annie brings the same level of enthusiasm and care to everything she does.

What makes Annie’s story even more meaningful is the way her passion for giving back has inspired others to join her. Family members, friends, and fellow Santa Lucia volunteers have joined her in supporting Outlook, creating a growing circle of connection, awareness, and support for the blind and low vision community.

Before getting involved with Outlook, Annie and her family had little firsthand experience with blindness or visual impairment. While they were inspired by the programs, services, and adaptive tools available, what stayed with them most was the spirit of the people they met. They saw determination, resilience, positivity, and a community that continually uplifts and encourages one another.

 

A Passion for Giving Back

At the center of everything Annie does is a deep desire to uplift others. In addition to her work with Outlook, she volunteers with Hillcrest Hospice’s No One Dies Alone (NODA) program and serves as Secretary for the Santa Lucia Festival. No matter where she is, Annie leads with empathy and kindness, and it never goes unnoticed. Her presence has a way of brightening a room, and our associates truly light up when she’s around.

Some of Annie’s most meaningful moments have come from witnessing others discover strength within themselves. As Annie shared, “I have loved watching clients step outside their comfort zones and celebrate accomplishments both big and small.”

Two adult men smiling on a tandem bike. "Find Your Community With Outlook - Connect. Belong. Thrive. Get in Touch."

 

What began as a simple tour has grown into much more, something that truly feels like family. Annie, Abby, and the Santa Lucia community have left their mark on Outlook, helping create moments filled with joy, connection, and a sense of belonging that lasts long after the moment ends. One memory stands out to Annie: “Honestly, the joy and pride that I saw on my daughter Abby’s face when people from Outlook came to the festival when she was queen is a memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

As our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Annie embodies the true spirit of giving back. If Annie’s story inspires you, we invite you to get involved. There’s a place for you in the Outlook community.

Vision Beyond Sight 2026 Gala

A Night of Honor, Unity, and Independence

Join us as we celebrate the enduring American spirit, honoring both the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. This special evening will recognize the bravery, resilience, and unity that define our nation while reaffirming our commitment to individuals navigating vision loss today.

Many of our clients describe feeling alone on their journey. Together, we can remind them that, much like America itself, they never stand alone. Through community, support, and opportunity, we continue to empower individuals of all ages living with vision loss to live with confidence, independence, and hope.

Event Details

Honoring 9/11 & Celebrating America’s 250th

As we reflect on the courage shown on and after September 11, 2001, and celebrate 250 years of American independence, we invite you to join us for an evening dedicated to service, perseverance, freedom, and unity. This year’s gala will feature stories from a veteran whose life was forever changed on and after 9/11, reminding us of the strength found in community and the enduring power of hope.

Together, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and help build a brighter future for individuals living with vision loss.

Featured Event

Dessert in the Dark is part of our gala experience. Guests wear sleep shades while sampling dessert without sight. The experience is designed to shift attention away from visuals and toward the full experience of the dessert itself. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on accessibility and inclusion, and to deepen understanding of vision impairment in a thoughtful, respectful way.

Please note: Guests are welcome and encouraged to dress in theme (coming soon). Registration will close on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

How You Can Make an Impact

Your participation makes a meaningful impact. Whether you sponsor a table, contribute a silent auction item, or attend the event, your support helps fund vital programs that empower individuals of all ages living with vision loss. Table sponsorships include seating for eight guests.

For sponsorship or silent auction donation opportunities, please contact Nina Rongisch, Executive Director of Outlook Enrichment, at 531-365-5342.

 

Registration Coming Soon

Tax-Efficient Giving Strategies Every Donor Should Know

Guest Author:

Seth Cave, CFP®, CEPA® at Ellerbrock-Norris

Did you know that the way you give to charity can be just as important as the amount you give? Many generous donors write a check each year to their favorite nonprofit, but in doing so, they may miss out on tax benefits that could allow them to give even more. With a little planning, charitable giving can be structured in ways that reduce your tax bill while increasing your impact.

 

Two adult men smiling on a tandem bike. "Find Your Community With Outlook - Connect. Belong. Thrive. Get in Touch."

 

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

Many retirees save diligently in retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, during their working years. While this is a great strategy to reduce taxes during your working years, the downside is that withdrawals in retirement are taxable as income, and once Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin, those taxes can add up quickly. I affectionately refer to this as a “Tax Tsunami” that can trigger a ripple effect on other income sources, Social Security, and even Medicare premiums.

One solution to this “Tax Tsunami” is to use a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Instead of withdrawing from your IRA and then writing a check to charity, you can direct funds straight from your IRA to a nonprofit. The gift goes tax-free to the charity, reduces your IRA balance, and counts toward your RMD. For 2025, individuals can give up to $108,000 per year through QCDs. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce taxes while supporting causes you care about.

 

Gifting Appreciated Securities

Cash isn’t always the most efficient way to give. Many donors own stocks, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), or mutual funds that have appreciated significantly in value. Selling those investments may result in a large capital gains tax bill.

Here’s an alternative approach. Imagine Susan bought stock years ago for $2,000, and today it’s worth $10,000. If she sells it, she will owe capital gains taxes on the $8,000 gain, typically taxed at a rate of 15-20%. Instead, if she transfers the stock directly to a nonprofit, the charity receives the full $10,000, and Susan avoids paying capital gains tax entirely. This strategy enables donors to fulfill their giving goals while avoiding a tax bill —a win-win for both sides.

  

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

For donors looking for flexibility, a donor-advised fund can be a powerful tool. A DAF is essentially a charitable investment account. Here’s how it works: a donor first makes a contribution (cash or appreciated securities), then receives an immediate tax deduction, and can grant money to a nonprofit at any time.

This approach works exceptionally well in years when income is unusually high, for example, after a business sale, a large bonus, or a real estate transaction. By “bunching” several years’ worth of giving into one contribution, donors can maximize their tax deduction in that high-income year while still spreading gifts to nonprofits over time.

 

Key Deduction Limits

 

Final Thoughts 

At its core, charitable giving is about making a meaningful impact. However, with some planning, you can often increase that impact while lowering your tax bill. Whether it’s using QCDs, gifting appreciated investments, or creating a donor-advised fund, the right strategy can amplify your generosity.

If you’d like to explore which approach best fits your situation, consider starting by clarifying your giving goals:

Answering these questions can help guide your plan and ensure that both you and the causes you care about benefit as much as possible.

Illuminating Brilliance at Vision Beyond Sight

In this episode, we welcome Cassie Jetter, a dedicated member of Friends of Outlook, a board member for Outlook Enrichment, and co-chair of our annual gala, Vision Beyond Sight. Cassie shares her journey of becoming involved with Outlook and provides a sneak peek at this year’s gala theme: “Illuminating Brilliance.”

We discuss what guests can expect on this special evening and the goals we aim to achieve with the funds raised. Tune in to learn more about how we are celebrating the brilliance in every person, regardless of their sight.