I
n November 2018, over the course of
17 days, the deadliest fire in California
history ravaged Butte County. It
destroyed thousands of homes and
more than 500 businesses, while
claiming the lives of 85 residents.
Nearly the entire quaint town of
Paradise was reduced to ashes. It
quickly became known that 30 members of the
nearby Chico Pickleball Club lost their homes
and everything they owned. Mike Kunkis, the
USAPA Ambassador for Chico, put a call in to
Anna Copley of Pickleball Central with hopes
that something could be done to help those
folks, and she rose to the occasion in grand
fashion. In a short time, with the help of Aero/
CRTC, Composite Recycling Technology Center/
Swift Paddle, Head, On Court/Off Court, Onix,
Paddletek, Topp,
and Wilson,
a pickleball
care package
was compiled
that included
40 paddles, 52
cinch bags, two
temporary nets,
some cash and 200
balls!
Meanwhile, while on a Pickleball Adventure
trip to Cancun, Andrea Mayorga, USAPA
Ambassador from Lincoln, California, made a
simple request for cash donations from the 150
pickleball players who attended the event, many
of whom were not even from California. In just
a few short days, she collected $1,300, and a
generous anonymous donor gave a matching
donation. She added to the donations back home
in Lincoln and on Dec. 22, she and her husband,
Armando, made an emotional presentation of
$3,300 in cash and gift cards to Mike Kunkis and
the fire victims.
Despite all they’d been through and lost, an
overwhelming spirit of giving prevailed. One of
the victims donated her share back to the Chico
Pickleball Club for its Christmas party and
another recipient welcomed newly homeless
victims into his home. One local resident, Matt
Merliss, said, “It was hard to ask for help,” but
soon he finally realized he had to. Nancy Jensen
was fortunate enough to have a second home
to go to, but said she still felt the grief of the
huge loss. Some folks relocated, feeling it was
all too overwhelming, but most are still around,
contemplating their next moves. Mitch Lehecka said
he and his family rented a local place immediately,
as he felt that putting down roots again was
extremely important to their overall recovery.
When asked what pickleball had done for them in
this crisis, these three individuals said it gave them
a few hours’ respite from the trauma and reinforced
the family feeling of the pickleball club. For them,
being able to get back into pickleball was a bonus,
and they were so grateful for all the love shown by
everyone.
In another wonderful example of pickleball’s
family spirit, in Rocklin, California—acting on
the idea of Craig
Fraser (Lincoln
Hills Pickleball Club
president)—members
of the Lincoln Hills
Pickleball Club
teamed up with
Courtside Basketball
& Sports Center
owner Jake Biagi to
hold their first indoor
sanctioned pickleball tournament. A silent auction
was held; all proceeds of which went to Camp fire
victims. The group garnered $5,058 over the course
of the four-day tournament, an incredible testament
to the generosity of the players.
The warm and caring camaraderie within the
pickleball community in California was clearly
evident during one
of the country’s most
horrific disasters.
Pickleball is not only
one of the fastest
growing sports in the
United States, but it
also may possess the
biggest heart within its
playing ranks. •
The Honey Run Covered Bridge, built in
1886, was completely destroyed.
Photo by Linda Denning.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 |
MAGAZINE
39