FRANKLIN—A cornhole tournament fundraiser will be held in memory of a 19-year-old Marine who was killed nearly a year ago by enemy gunfire in Afghanistan.

Cody Childers of Chesapeake left behind friends in Franklin, who will host the event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Fred’s restaurant.

“The city has told us we can block off the parking lot,” said event organizer Diane Casto, who is friends with the dead soldier’s mother, Wendy Childers, also of Chesapeake.

The evening will include a number of raffles including one for a set of cornhole boards with a caricature of Fred Rabil, founder of Fred’s restaurant. Casto and her husband, Michael, made the boards. Tickets can be purchased at the restaurant for $5 each or five for $20.

Proceeds will go toward buying items for care packages to be sent overseas to military personnel. Those attending are also asked to bring items for care. Since losing her son, Wendy Childers has sent 726 packages.

“If we could get people to donate items, including socks, candy and crackers,” said Diane Casto, a part-time waitress at Fred’s. “She’s even put in iPods that have 4,500 songs.”

Registration for the event begins at 6 p.m. The cost is $25 for a two-person team.

Cody Childers was a member of Meherrin Hunt Club in Brunswick County, where Diane Casto is also a member.

A 2009 graduate of Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, he reported for training that August and deployed in early summer 2010 from Camp Lejeune. Childers was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division in the II Marine Expeditionary Force.