Cade’s Day: Coronado Fundraiser Expands Support For Suicide Prevention And Welding Scholarships – Coronado Eagle & Journal
Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 79F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..
Overcast. Low near 70F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: September 1, 2025 @ 12:40 pm
The Third Annual Cade’s Day Cornhole Fundraiser will be held at McP’s Irish Pub on September 13th to raise awareness about and assist with the prevention of suicide. The event has become a staple for the Coronado community each year, and 100% of proceeds from the cornhole tournament are used to fund welding scholarships. For more information, please visit seeandsay.live.
The Third Annual Cade’s Day Cornhole Fundraiser will be held at McP’s Irish Pub on September 13th to raise awareness about and assist with the prevention of suicide. The event has become a staple for the Coronado community each year, and 100% of proceeds from the cornhole tournament are used to fund welding scholarships. For more information, please visit seeandsay.live.
Coronado’s annual Cade’s Day event returns this September, bringing renewed attention to suicide prevention and practical support for students pursuing technical education. Founded by Megan Keller and Brian Cooper, the event stands as both a tribute and a resource for the community—motivated by personal loss and a desire to offer something concrete in response.
Cade’s Day began after the loss of Megan Keller’s son, Cade, to suicide at just 16 years old. Keller started the event to honor, remember, and create a legacy that supports others who want to pursue their passion in welding, just as Cade did.
“From a very young age, Cade found great joy in creating and making things,” Keller explained.
“He started forging in second grade, creating quilts from his sewing machine, loved all things outdoors, and adventurous sports outdoors such as skateboarding, rock climbing, diving, hunting, and fishing.”
The event uses 100% of its proceeds from the cornhole tournament to fund welding scholarships. Since its inception, Cade’s Day has awarded more than 90 scholarships for programs at Mesa Community College and has recently begun supporting Workshop for Warriors, a local San Diego organization dedicated to advanced manufacturing certifications.
This year, the event will take place on Saturday, September 13th, at McP’s Irish Pub. The centerpiece of Cade’s Day is the cornhole tournament, a staple for attendees and a practical fundraiser. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at McP’s, and competition starts at noon.
The event is designed to be accessible; community members can participate as players or simply enjoy other offerings, such as live music on the patio throughout the afternoon, food from McP’s, raffle prizes for participants and spectators, and more.
“Like all of our events, it is an afternoon of family, friends, and community who are gathering for an afternoon of conversation and connection… And, it is a lot of fun, too,” Keller noted.
“If cornhole isn’t your thing, not a problem… We have fantastic live music on the patio, the great McP’s food, including the Cade Club, and stellar raffles. It is fun for the whole family, including fur babies.”
This year’s Cade’s Day includes a few important additions. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet two scholarship recipients who have benefited directly from the event’s fundraising efforts. San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council staff will also be present to provide guidance, educational resources, and speak with community members about recognizing and responding to mental health crises. “This is so important for our community to understand, and be prepared with skills should they themselves, or someone they know, need support in a difficult time of struggle,” Keller explained.
Another new addition will be a Tree of Hope banner that will stand at the event, where those impacted by suicide can add photos of loved ones lost. “This has been an extremely impactful addition to our events that allows people to share the photo and their loved one with their fellow Coronado community,” Keller began. “We will also have a printer at the event for people to contribute their picture, should they wish to.”
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, guests can take home colored honor bead necklaces signifying their personal connection—white for a lost child, purple for a friend or relative, silver for the loss of a first responder or military member, and so on.
Both Keller and Cooper are clear that raising awareness isn’t just about holding an event, it’s about making mental health something people feel able to talk about in realistic terms. “Most importantly, join and be a part of conversations that help reduce the stigma that it’s okay to not be okay, and ask for help,” Keller said.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and at a previous event, Mayor John Duncan presented a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Month for the City of Coronado, with special recognition for Cade’s Day and those involved.
“I strongly urge people to come out to Cade’s Day at McP’s and participate. Suicide touches us all, and, unfortunately, continues to impact the Coronado and military community every year,” Mayor Duncan said of the upcoming event and its importance in our town. “Though the subject is so difficult for many to talk about, it is absolutely necessary to normalize that there is help available and it is okay to ask for help. Many are still not aware of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Last year’s Cade’s Day was a beautiful and inspiring event. It was my honor to speak at it to support the brave families that are seeking to help the community. I hope to see you there for the camaraderie and cornhole.”
Community members can register for the cornhole tournament on-site, but advanced registration is encouraged. For those who can’t or prefer not to play, there is no shortage of ways to participate: listening to live music, contributing to the Tree of Hope, picking up information from local organizations, or simply connecting with neighbors over food. The event is intentionally accessible and designed for a wide range of ages and interests, including families and pets.
For more information on Cade’s Day, access to resources surrounding suicide prevention, and more on Megan and Brian’s journey to help save one life at a time, visit their website at seeandsay.live.
VOL. 115, NO. 34 – Aug. 20, 2025
Your comment has been submitted.
Reported
There was a problem reporting this.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
