Minutemen United to support CVCCS

When Geoff Lapp and nearly 30 others joined together on Leap Day in 2020 to found Minutemen United, a nonprofit seeking to fight poverty by supporting community service organizations, he had no idea that less than a month later COVID-19 would cause a statewide shutdown. To help fund the organization, Lapp founded Waymark Transport and began driving those in need of transportation services. In the process, Lapp met many members of the Plain community, and he was introduced to the game of flag croquet, a game that utilizes croquet-style equipment - fortified mallets called bats - and a modified disc golf basket lowered to the bottom of the flag to create nine holes of family fun.

To help raise funds for Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS), a nonprofit social service organization founded in 2010 by the Conestoga Valley Ministerium, Lapp is organizing the first Flag Croquet Memorial Tournament for CVCCS. The event will be held at Leola Community Park, 23 E. Main St., Leola, on Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The per-player registration fee will include food and two rounds of flag croquet for a group of three players. Prizes will be awarded in categories that will include best score and closest to the pin. The top prize for the best score is a flag croquet set with nine baskets and flags and eight bats. "Everything will be provided (for the tournament players)," said Lapp, who will have a few flag croquet sets available for purchase at the event. The tournament, which will be capped at 54 players, is presented in partnership with the YMCA of the Roses, which oversees the park.

Minutemen United envisions a poverty-free community and has the mission of connecting people to support services. Values, based on Scripture, include gathering intentionally, living gratefully, engaging generously, and encouraging creativity. Lapp said that the organization has worked closely with a group called True Charity from Joplin, Mo. "(True Charity) has helped me find out how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community," said Lapp, who has connected CVCCS to the organization as well.

Lapp credits Groffdale Machine Company with popularizing flag croquet in Lancaster County. "They have engineered a golf game for average (people)," said Lapp. "Flag croquet is in the Amish community, and I want to bring it to the English community." Lapp noted that the disc golf course at Leola is 18 par three holes. "At Leola Community, the holes are pretty close. So it's not crazy long (drives)," he explained. Individuals wishing to take part in the tournament may call 717-629-2989 or email geoff@minutemen-united.com to register. Registration must be completed by Saturday, May 13.