Happiness comes in many ways. Some people are happy to get nice gifts. Some people are happy to go out and have a nice meal. Some people are happy to enjoy some downtime alone. Some people are happy being in large crowds, like at amusement parks or concerts. For me, I’m happiest when I get to serve. I enjoy being able to give of myself, my resources, and my talents. I love having the opportunity to gather volunteers, gain support, and contribute to someone’s life and their growth.
PWP had the opportunity to go back to Hillside for our first event of 2025. As always, it is a bittersweet time. It truly is difficult to see first hand the need these youth have, the struggles they face, and the difficulties they have experienced. But it is also sweet to meet them, teach them pickleball, and invest in them even if it’s only for 45 minutes at a time.
This time brought even greater joy, in a few ways. First off, some of the youth we had spent time with over the visits we made last year were no longer there. They made it through the program and are on to the next chapter of their lives. We wish them well! Secondly, we had several new volunteers come out this time, making it so much easier to focus on smaller groups. We truly appreciate each one of you and your help! Finally, with the generosity of our supporters, we were able to give out 90+ gift bags, so every youth got one. They were filled with fruit snacks, a stress ball, fidget poppers, chapstick, stickers, and a temporary pickle tattoo. They were excited and they were very grateful to receive their goody bags!
We and our volunteers get just as much joy from spending time with the kids as they do us. If you’re on the fence about joining us, here’s what some of our volunteers had to say:
“ It was such a rewarding experience to bring exposure and my love of pickleball to these young folks. It was equally nice to see the joy on these faces as they were learning the game and having fun. “
“It was an incredible experience, and it was so rewarding to see the smiles on the kids' faces.”
“What we gained by helping those kids far outweighs what they received. The kids are looking for acceptance, someone to listen, and, of course, a Pickleball buddy… I would recommend the experience to anyone and we will definitely be back.”
We are currently scheduling a bi-monthly rotation with Hillside, as we look to continue to bring pickleball into their recreational therapy program and encourage their students. Also, keep an eye out for some news on other opportunities that are coming our way. We are working with a senior center to see what we can offer, and will be pursuing more opportunities as they arise.
Thanks Again!
LET’S GO!!!!
Aron
