PICKLEBALL HELPS BRIGHTEN
SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN
WITH CANCER
F
or children dealing with cancer, the chance to have fun
and forget their illness for a few weeks each summer is
priceless. As part of their experience, for the past two
summers, Tom Gawne of Park Ridge, IL, and a small group of
volunteers have introduced the children to the game of pickleball.
From July 7-9, 20 children, ages 10 to 16, got two hours a day
to enjoy pickleball at Camp One Step in Williams Bay, WI, near
the famed Lake Geneva. The camp is run by Children’s Oncology
Services headquartered in Chicago. Camp One Step empowers
children who have been diagnosed with cancer to find new hope
and believe again in a brighter future.
This year, Mark Renneson, professional pickleball coach, player
and CBS commentator of the US Open, partnered with Selkirk
Sport to sell a special edition paddle. For each paddle sold
during the promotion, Third Shot Sports and Selkirk donated a
new pickleball paddle to the camp. In the end, nearly 40 paddles
were donated. “The children had a chance to decorate their own
paddle and keep it as a beautiful souvenir to show Mom and Dad,”
Gawne said.
The summer camp is just part of a
year-round effort by the organization,
which offers programs serving children
and families who live in Illinois,
Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
For more information, to volunteer or
to donate, visit www.camponestep.org.
—Dick Barton
SEEKING INPUT FROM USAPA AMBASSADORS & MEMBERS
T
he USAPA Recreational Programs
Department, in collaboration with
Ambassador Leadership, is asking local
ambassadors to submit ideas for inclusion in
a new resource titled, “USAPA Ambassador
and Member Guide to Fun Formats,
Rotations, Tournaments and Clinics.” The
USAPA is specifically asking ambassadors
and members to submit fun, engaging and
unique ideas that are related to drop-in play,
socials, round robins and non-elimination
tournaments. The goal of this resource is
to help grow recreational pickleball and
provide fun play options as an alternative
to traditional tournament formats. Please
submit your ideas via the link below, by
Monday, Sept. 30, to be included in a drawing
for a chance to win a USAPA net.
https://www.usapa.org/ambassador-guide-
fun-formats-submission-form/
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 |
MAGAZINE
15