This weekend, Indiana pickleball players will play for a good cause. The 2023 Making Memories Classic is a pickleball tournament that seeks to raise funds for The Longest Day Alzheimer’s Association.
Hosted at Craig Park in Greenwood, IN, the 2nd Annual Making Memories Classic will see pickleball players come together to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana. Tonight, Friday, July 14, the event will kick off with a pro-player exhibition featuring Jade and Jackie Kawamoto, who both grew up playing tennis at Greenwood High School.
In an interview with WISH-TV, Laura Forbes, the Communications Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana, explains how valuable fundraisers like this tournament are to the cause of Alzheimer’s research. Their current goal for this year is to raise $25,000, and last year they managed to raise $36,000.
“Just last week, the FDA granted traditional approval to a treatment called Leqembi, and it’s the first time that the FDA has granted traditional approval for a treatment that actually treats the underlying biology of the disease and gives people more time in the early stages. So it’s not a cure, but it helps people remain active and independent for longer. That is a huge step forward, and fundraisers like this one really help advance that research.”
Laura Forbes, Communications Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana
According to the National Institute on Aging, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia. In 2022, loved ones and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias provided an estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at nearly $339.5 billion.
David Mandelbaum, the creator of this fundraising tournament, lost both of his parents to advanced dementia, a form of Alzheimer’s. He believes that pickleball is a perfect way of fundraising to fight against the disease, as it represents a means of staying healthy later in life.
“Pickleball, played by over 5 million Americans of all ages and still growing in popularity, provides both an excellent workout and great social interaction. So, I could not think of a better way to honor and memorialize my parents while raising money to fight Alzheimer’s Disease and all forms of dementia than by hosting a pickleball tournament fundraiser.”
David Mandelbaum, Creator of The Longest Day’s Making Memories Classic
The tournament’s format will be a doubles round robin with a single elimination bracket and will also feature a hospitality tent and pickleball apparel & jewelry vendors. Gold medalists will receive gift cards as a prize along with gold medals.
If you’re interested in learning more about the event or want to donate to the cause in order to help The Longest Day reach its goal of $25,000, please visit their website.
“Whether you’re interested in playing in the event or just want to come watch and learn more about the sport, join us in beautiful Craig Park for a fun weekend!”
David Mandelbaum
