Pickleball is proving a valuable tool in the fight against disease. Its intensely social aspect brings communities together and helps raise essential funding for needy charities.
Here, we focus on just four events in the U.S. and Canada that have just happened recently or are planned for the near future.
Meridian, Mississippi
A Spirited Competition
The Rotary Club of Meridian, Mississippi, recently hosted a Pickleball Tournament in aid of polio at Northwood Country Club last weekend. It featured 21 teams divided into three pools of round-robin play.
Following a spirited competition, two teams emerged triumphant.
Among the participants were Portia Ruffin and Ashton Vinet, who forged a friendship through their regular pickleball games.
Ruffin used the tournament as an opportunity to assess her skill level, telling WTOK, “I wanted to see if I was actually good, or not. And I think I’m O.K., but I’ve got some improvement.”
Vinet, introduced to the game by her mother, now enjoys playing it with her entire family and plays even when traveling.
“Anywhere we go on vacation, we can play it. We take pickleball paddles, and we can always find a court,” she says.
Socially Inclusive
The event was organized by Rotary Club President-Elect Lance Burnham, who emphasized that pickleball is a socially inclusive sport suitable for all ages and skill levels.
The tournament not only provided an enjoyable experience but also raised funds in support of Rotary’s commendable initiative to combat polio.
Debra Munsell, Club President and Associate Professor at Mississippi State University, Meridian, highlighted the ongoing presence of polio in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In 2022, the Meridian Rotary Club contributed $1,500 to the global effort to eradicate polio. This year, club members aspire to increase their contribution to $2,000.
On a global scale, Rotary has allocated $65 million in grants towards combating this disease.
North Platte Pickleball, Nebraska
Raising Awareness
In a separate event, North Platte Pickleball organized the Queen of the Court tournament to benefit the nearby Callahan Cancer Center.
With several members either working at the center or having personal experiences with cancer, the group aimed to raise awareness for breast cancer, particularly in light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The group welcomes new participants and plays regularly at the North Platte Recreation Center.
The group says they play “every day that ends in ‘y!’”
Palisade, Colorado
Mentoring And Community Service
Meanwhile, in Palisade, Colorado, residents came together for a Pickleball Tournament hosted by Mesa County Partners.
NBC 11 News reported that 10 teams competed for the honor of becoming the inaugural champion, with all proceeds directed towards the nonprofit organization.
Mesa County Partners is dedicated to providing youth in the valley with mentoring and community service programs, as well as supporting the Western Colorado Conservation Corps.
Rick Voss, the marketing and event coordinator for Mesa County Partners, emphasized how the funds collected have been instrumental in sustaining their youth-based mentoring programs.
Burnaby, British Columbia
Pickleball Enthusiasts And Dog Lovers!
Looking ahead, Pickleball enthusiasts and dog lovers in Burnaby are gearing up for a province-wide charity tournament scheduled for April 20, 2024, in support of the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS).
Clubs across the province will hold simultaneous competitions on this significant day, aiming to make a positive impact on both the sport of Pickleball and the canine charitable cause.
Registration is set to commence on the Pickleball BC website on January 1, offering an opportunity to participate in this noteworthy event.
Walter Knecht, founder and president of Pickleball BC, told Burnabynow, “I think that’s going to be a significant event in pickleball life, and, as we’re doing a charity drive for PADS, I think we can support them to a great extent as well.”
Tara Doherty, communications director for PADS, commended the alignment of core values between Pickleball and their assistance dog organization, emphasizing inclusivity, wellness, and community engagement.
She highlighted the synergy that led to the partnership: “It just seemed like a very natural fit.”
