Beach Kids Foundation to hold pickleball tourney fundraiser
Pickleball courts at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
The Beach Kids Foundation, a longtime supporter of students at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and for students of every age on Fort Myers Beach as well as their teachers, will be holding a pickleball tournament fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Fort Myers Beach.
The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
“Pickleball has become all the rage in our local community, and what a fun way to help raise funds for our local charity, which is all about supporting the children of our community any way we can,” said Beach Kids Foundation member Melissa Schneider.
“We’re very excited to host this inaugural tournament for the Beach Kids Foundation. Pickleball has become so popular, and our special tournament committee had lots of fun organizing it,” Schneider said.
“We put our heart and soul into our Foundation and the kids on our island,” Beach Kids Foundation President Deborah Groll said. “We are excited to have this event to benefit the Beach Kids Foundation – and no better place than Bay Oaks. You don’t have to be an expert to play in this tournament, there are three skill levels. My daughter just picked up a paddle a couple weeks ago for the first time and her team has entered on the beginner level, so come out and join us.”
Schneider credited Fort Myers Beach Parks and Recreation Manager Neil Mathes for allowing the event to take place at the new Bay Oaks asphalt pickleball courts.
Pickleball courts at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
Schneider encouraged the public to take part in the event and supporting the foundation, or “cheer on your neighbors, family and friends – all for a great cause.”
The tournament will be run by organizer Megan Haataja, who will keep track of all the game brackets that day, and hundreds of dollars of prizes will be awarded to the top teams in each skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
“Don’t worry if you don’t have a partner, we can team you up with other solo players looking for a teammate. And should your skill level already be full, please let us know, if we can open additional courts, we’ll be sure to do it for those levels who have more players wanting to participate,” Schneider said.
The foundation is welcoming donors and sponsorships for the event.
Beach Kids Foundation board member and pickleball tournament committee member Judy Haataja said “The Beach Kids Foundation has continued to support the beach kids with scholarships for those going into continued learning during/after high school, and for the younger ones and their teachers – even now as they’re being dispersed through other schools in the district – their educational needs and other continued support. Our children are our future, and we must continue to be there to support them however we can.”
Over the years, the Beach Kids Foundation has provided scholarships to dozens of Fort Myers Beach students, donated school supplies for students and teachers, provided audio equipment for the elementary school, provided playground equipment and shades for the playground and basketball court at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School among many donations.
To register for the tournament, visit https://swishtournaments.com/product/beach-kids-foundation-pb-tournament/#tab-description.
Pickleball courts at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
For more information about the Beach Kids Foundation, visit their Facebook page.
For more information about the tournament and Bay Oaks, contact the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus at 239-765-0202, ext. 1202.