Pickleball Palooza Fundraiser: A Day of Fun Supporting Voices for Children

Event Highlights:
  • Date: October 12, 2024
  • Location: Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Center - TAMU Campus
  • Activities: Enjoy competitive pickleball matches, clinics for beginners, an exciting raffle, and much more!
  • Entertainment: Music, catered snacks & lunch (provided by D'Vine Cuisine), and family-friendly activities ensure a great time for everyone.


Pickleball Palooza is not just a fun event for pickleball lovers it's also a meaningful fundraiser benefiting Voices for Children, an organization dedicated to advocating for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. The event combines a passion for pickleball with a purpose, inviting players of all levels to enjoy friendly competition while supporting children from our community.

Voices for Children and our Big Dill title sponsor, TexAgs, would like to invite you to Pickleball Palooza. This charity tournament is for both pickleball enthusiasts and beginners alike, with a beginners' clinic and informal play for those new to the sport and a competitive tournament for experienced players. The day will include a swag bag for players, snacks and refreshments, a chance to win a one-of-a-kind raffle prize, and an award ceremony to name the 2024 Pickleball Palooza Champion!

For those new to pickleball, it's a sport that's easy to learn but offers plenty of challenge. Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, it's a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, making it a versatile game for all ages.



Did you know:

  • A Sport Born from Family Fun: Pickleball was created in 1965 by three dads: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum to entertain their kids during the summer. The name is reported to come from Pritchard's dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball!
  • America's Fastest-Growing Sport: Pickleball has seen an explosive rise in popularity, with over 4.8 million players in the U.S. in 2022, making it the country's fastest-growing sport.
  • What's the Kitchen?: In pickleball, the non-volley zone near the net is called "the kitchen." Players cannot hit the ball in the air while standing inside this area.




Pickleball Palooza is the perfect way to support Voices for Children while enjoying a day of fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Join us on the courts and make a difference!

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to register for the event, visit www.vfcbrazos.org/pickleballpalooza or contact Mary-Frances Hurt at mfhurt@vfcbrazos.org.