The numbers are finalized and the 2nd Annual Pickleball for Mental Health tournament raised a whopping $35,704.11 for the local branch of Canadian Mental Health Association.
The funds couldn’t come at a better time, as the organization is preparing to warm the hearts of folks with a diagnosed mental illness with their annual Holiday dinners.
“A team of volunteers and staff work to create a classic holiday dinner with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie” stated Executive Director Leah Schulting. Santa is there every year handing out small gifts such as socks or gift cards. For some this is the only holiday meal they will have. The dinners symbolize love, connection and lets people know they belong, and they matter.
Some of the funds from the pickleball tournament will support these Christmas meals and gifts, and the remainder of the funds will go towards art therapy programs for folks with a diagnosed mental illness.
CMHA would like to thank the pickleball sponsors: Nor-Val Sales and Nor-Val Rentals, Stewart-Beaumont Investment Group, Spare Room Self Storage, Penticton Foundry, Parkers Chrysler, South Okanagan Laser & Skin, Pickleball Depot, Summerland Seniors Village, Travel Penticton, MLA Dan Ashton, and South Okanagan Counselling. Many other businesses contributed to make this tournament so successful.