Friends Remember Benny Toulotte, Raise Money for Charity

It has been more than ten months since the passing of Benny Toulotte, but he is alive and well in the hearts of Bowie residents, who gathered this past Sunday to honor a friend and raise money for a great cause: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

At a discreet location in South Bowie, over 100 people could be found in a damp field, throwing sand bags at wooden targets, a game known as Cornhole.

The event, hosted by two former Bowie residents, Joey Dominici and Matt Lucas, featured the Cornhole tournament, refreshments, a DJ, a 50/50 raffle and selling t-shirts that Benny had designed himself.

The 22 year-old touched many lives, evidenced in October to remember the young man who was taken far too early from a community who loved him. Ten months later, an event like the one held Sunday proves that Bowie is still mourning his loss, yet taking positive action by supporting a good cause.

“It was a good turn out and great to see every one getting together for such a good cause and to keep Benny’s memory alive,” said Bowie resident Kelsey Hinkle. “We might have lost one, but we can try to save a million.”

This tournament, which was spread by word of mouth and Facebook, will be an annual, if not semi-annual, event to commemorate the young Bowie resident.

Donations are being made to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in the name of Benjamin Toulotte. For more information on donating, please contact Paige Catlin at paigee87@gmail.com.