The Women’s POWER Pickleball League of Palm Beach County recently demonstrated their commitment both on and off the court by hosting a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida at The Addison in Boca Raton.
A Passion For Pickleball
Comprising women aged 55 and older who share a passion for pickleball, the league not only focuses on skill enhancement and camaraderie but also on giving back to the community. Last September, they organized a tournament fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, and they have been involved in regular charitable efforts throughout 2024.
Catherine Barton, CEO and founder of Women’s POWER Pickleball discussed their enduring partnership with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida and highlighted their joint mission to make a real difference in the lives of deserving children.
She said, “This partnership goes beyond the courts, reflecting our shared dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of these extraordinary children.”
A Whopping Sum Of Money
Kayla Scognamillo, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida special event coordinator, praised the league for their substantial contribution, revealing a whopping sum of money that will go a long way to helping children in need.
“The Women’s POWER Pickleball League has raised more than $27,000 to benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida for kids’ dreams to come true,” she said.
The league’s inaugural “Wishful Dinking” event at The Addison of Boca Raton was not only a platform to celebrate their more than 1,200 members but also an opportunity to raise awareness about Make-A-Wish Southern Florida’s invaluable work in granting life-changing wishes to critically ill children.
Moreover, the league welcomed inspirational figures who have shattered barriers. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Jane Barkman Brown shared her admiration for the league’s positive impact and stressed the importance of gratitude and living in the moment.
“I admire all of these women who are out here doing something positive,” Barkman Brown said. “My message is to be grateful for what you have. It’s important just to have fun and stay in the moment.”
The Golden Bachelor
Ellen Goltzer, a Delray Beach resident and former participant on ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” shared her enthusiasm for the empowering environment created by the league.
“I have been in the league for three years, and I love it,” she said. We get to play in all different communities and get to meet new people. Through pickleball, I learned all about the people in my community. It’s really wonderful to have camaraderie with teammates and make good friends. I have also met former high school friends through pickleball.”
Goltzer was also happy to talk about the famous pickleball match she played in on The Golden Bachelor. It was one of the highlights of the series, and we called it “A Pickleball Game For The Ages.” Ellen partnered with Kathy and won mainly due to many years teaching P.E.
Indeed, as she said at the time, “They all said to me, ‘If you hadn’t won that pickleball match, you wouldn’t have been able to come home.’ But the truth is, it was fun.”
We also featured Ellen in another article, in which she gave some very sage advice about the importance of preparation and warming up every time you hit the court.
“Pickleball Guy” Dereck Prince, a respected pickleball instructor and advocate, joined the event to show his support for the league, underscoring the sense of community and enjoyment that pickleball brings to people of all ages.
We also featured Dereck in this article back in September last year.
