Every Wednesday night, cornhole players from across Hampton Roads meet at Suffolk’s Driver community for hours of competition that are also filled with music and friendly conversation from men and women that treat each other like family.

“It’s a great place to come after work and hang out,” Jenn Howard said.

Ken Parsons, Driver cornhole organizer and owner of the Knot Hole Station, started holding cornhole tournaments in 2011. The first was to raise money for Page Middle School in Gloucester County, after the school had been destroyed by a tornado. The DriverCornhole Facebook page was founded that same year and now has about 500 followers.

Parsons said the group’s many tournaments over the years have raised more than $20,000.

“He doesn’t take any money back from this,” said Suffolk resident Chris Huhtala about Parsons. “It’s 100 percent charity and more.”

Parsons said about 30 to 40 regular players make it to every Wednesday cornhole, barring any weather or scheduling difficulties. Some are beginners and others are seasoned veterans, but everyone is welcome.

“I’ve met some of my best friends out here,” Parsons said.

Each player donates $2 to a fund that goes towards various charities, including custom cornhole bags and cornhole boards with plaques signed by the various Driver players. Several of these sets have been donated to the USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carriers.

“All of our signatures have traveled the world on these boards,” Parsons said.

Some of the players from the Driver community have even gone on to play professionally on the national stage.

James Baldwin of Driver cornhole is competing in the World Championships Cornhole at Owensboro, Ky., this week. Among more than 2,000 players, Baldwin is ranked 181 by American Cornhole Organization World Singles rankings as of Thursday, and ranked 53 out of more than 1,500 in World Doubles.

“I would say he’s our most accomplished player that’s come through here,” Parsons said about Baldwin. “James is like family to us. We’ve known him since he was young.”

Harlee Culpepper is another member of that Driver family, and is a 13-year-old with a father and grandmother that have played cornhole for years. She also competes and is currently ranked 11 out of more than 2,000 in ACO World Juniors rankings as of Thursday.

“It doesn’t matter who she plays against, she’s not scared of anybody,” said her father Ronnie Culpepper. “She’s fearless, and she’s backed it up on many occasions.

Parsons and his fellow players will continue to hold tournaments throughout the year to raise money for charities, including the annual cornhole tournament at the Driver Days Fall Festival in October for the American Cancer Society.

Their Wednesday nights continue to remain popular, and with each participant donating money, their competitions are expected to keep going strong.

“It’s just a great group of guys that come out here,” said Suffolk resident Joel Cocke. “It’s beautiful weather, good camaraderie, and every now and then I get a bag in the hole.”

Visit the DriverCornhole Facebook page for more information.