A pickleball tournament hosted in September by the Florence Pickleball Club in South Carolina raised $1,600 for United Way’s 211 Information and Referral Service, a critical United Way of Florence County helpline connecting people with area resources.
“A Real Sense Of Community”
Florence Pickleball Club‘s Buddy Dawkins said the club was happy to find a way to give back to the community in a meaningful way.
“We have developed a real sense of community within the club, and it’s about more than just getting together and playing pickleball,” Dawkins said. “This event was a fun way to make our play more impactful, and United Way’s 211 service really stood out as a worthy cause.”
Cameron Campbell, president of United Way of Florence County, said the tournament was a “unique and fun” experience for people of all ages and expressed appreciation for the organization’s support of United Way.
“There’s been a lot of buzz around pickleball in recent years, and after seeing such a wide range of people enjoying the sport, I can see why,” Packett told scnow.com.
“We are grateful to the Florence Pickleball Club for embracing United Way with open arms and for their enthusiasm in supporting this community.”
Raising Awareness
United Way of Florence County obtained sponsorship for the tournament from Mt. Olive Pickles, which supplied Mt. Olive Pickles swag. The organization used these items to raise awareness for the event and give back to the players for their support.
The tournament awarded bronze, silver, and gold medals in six categories: women’s beginner, intermediate and advanced and men’s beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Money was raised for United Way of Florence County through team registrations.
The Information And Referral Service
United Way’s 211 Information and Referral Service is a free, confidential way for any Florence County resident to find available resources for a variety of needs.
Available 24/7, those in need can receive help by calling 2-1-1, texting “help” to 211-211, or visiting sc211.org. Last year, more than 1,300 calls were made, and more than 3,500 were provided. Those numbers are expected to increase this year.
Organizations and individuals wishing to contribute to the 211 service can do so online at uwflorence.org or by contacting Resource Development Director Jonathan McKnight at 843-662-2407 or [email protected].
Florence Pickleball Club
Free Introductions
The Florence Pickleball Club (FPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization committed to developing pickleball in the Greater Florence Area in South Carolina.
They provide a free introduction to pickleball clinics for interested individuals or organizations. They have a Board of Directors as well as Covenants, which they operate by.
They are civic-minded, provide volunteers for various community activities, and donate to several local charities.
The FPC has over 160 registered pickleball players and continues to grow. Their membership includes people of all ages, races, and a wide range of nationalities, all joined by the enjoyment of this game.
Their Mission
They aim to promote the sport of pickleball in the Greater Florence Area for its positive physical and mental benefits and establish a genuine fellowship between groups of all ages and ethnic origins.
The club promotes knowledge of the sport through clinics, courses, instruction, tournaments, and recreational play, improving skill levels and ensuring equality in competitive play.
The FPC conducts demonstrations, provides teaching clinics, helps facilities organize programs, and promotes the enjoyment this sport offers to all age groups.
Contact them at [email protected].
Upcoming Tournament
The upcoming “Pickle in the Park Round Robin Pickleball Tournament” is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Virginia Acres Park, located behind Odell Weeks in Aiken.
Interested participants are encouraged to sign up at pickleballbrackets.com before the deadline, which is only a week away.
The weather forecast for that day is anticipated to be ideal for pickleball enthusiasts.
