The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Lyman Orchards donates nearly $32,000 to the American Cancer Society
MIDDLEFIELD — Lyman Orchards, a family owned New England destination for over 280 years, has made a $32,890 donation to the American Cancer Society using a portion of the proceeds from its annual corn maze.
This past year's maze theme was 1970s rock ‘n' roll. Visitors' progress through the maze was dependent on the accuracy of their musictrivia knowledge, according to a press release.
Since opening the first corn maze in 2000, Lyman Orchards has donated a portion of the admission fees every year to the American Cancer Society for a grand total of nearly $700,000.
“The American Cancer Society looks out for all of us in the fight against cancer,” Executive Vice President John Lyman said in a prepared statement. “It's a great honor to have a role in contributing to the society's innovative and pioneering research, and it's no exaggeration to say that those efforts help save lives nationwide.”
“These critical funds raised help the American Cancer Society attack all cancers in countless ways, funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey,” Alexis Maliga, American Cancer Society of Connecticut Director of Development, said in the statement.
An additional $4,407 in proceeds was donated to charities that provided volunteers to serve as “Corn Cops” to help people navigate their way through the exhibit, the news release said. The organizations included Sheehan High School MPA, $1,625; Middlefield Lions Club, $2,119; and Coginchaug Regional High School French Honor Society, $663.
Lyman Orchards donated 50 cents of every 2021 maze ticket sold to the Connecticut Cancer Foundation, for a total of $16,445, it said.
This year's maze will open Sept. 3 and run daily through Nov. 6. For information, visit lymanorchards.com.