$3,000 raised for local nonprofits
Sometimes when you’re in a pickle, you need a pickleball club to help you out.
That’s why the Gilmer Pickleball Club has raised $3,000 for local nonprofits.
“It gives us a lot of pride to give back that money to the community where it’s needed,” said the club’s Secretary Lori Smailes.
The club’s volunteer-run tournament last fall raised the money with entry fees.
Then, members of the club voted on which charities to give the money to.
In the end, the Gilmer Community Food Pantry (GCFP), the Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter and the Gilmer Warming Center received the most votes.
Each group will get $1,000.
“We gave them the option to write in any organization that they wanted to donate to, and those were the top three that came out,” Smailes said.
Many of the club’s members are pet owners, the warming center is near the pickleball courts, and the GCFP is well-known across the community.
“We see the needs,” she said.
The club presented the checks to Ott Vineyards and Winery.
“The club members very much appreciate this community and what they’ve done for the club,” Smailes said. “A lot of the money that comes to the club is through sponsorships through our local businesses.”
The Gilmer Pickleball Club has about 120 members.
One of the reasons it’s able to raise money is because the game creates a tight community.
“It’s like one big family,” she said.
Its next tournament will be the Sasquatch Slam from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, which will have more than 200 players, including some from other states.
Future tournaments will also give to local charities.
“We definitely want to continue to do it,” Smailes said.