The Sun City West Pickleball Club, in partnership with Sun City West Foundation, celebrated its 10th year hosting the Fun In The Sun “All for Charity” Pickleball Tournament and Ball Drop March 3-5 at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center’s Liberty Courts.

The charity event benefited seven Sun City West nonprofit organizations: The Sun City West Foundation - Helping Hands, Sun City West Posse, PRIDES, The Community Fund of Sun City West, PORA, Valley View Community Food Bank and AFMA Fire Corps Charities.

The three-day event raised more $57,809 for charity this year.

“With the success of this year’s tournament and charity event activities, our combined 10-year efforts have raised over $341,000 for Sun City West charitable works,” said Teresa Brown, Pickleball Club charity event leader. “This event really showcases the spirit of community that our club members have developed, their huge hearts and willing spirits. I’m so proud of all the people involved who helped us raise such an impressive total again this year! It is truly amazing what can happen when you combine an active Pickleball Club with over 2,000 members, committed local business sponsors, community residents and valuable, nonprofit organizations. The Sun City West Pickleball Club, along with their members and sponsors, are very proud to give back to our wonderful Sun City West community.”

The Fun In The Sun Pickleball Tournament kicked off with tournament action early March 5, and at 9 a.m., the AFMA Fire Department’s giant ladder truck arrived and the crowd gathered to watch 3,000 numbered pickleballs drop from the sky. There were $7,550 of ball drop prizes were awarded to 52 winners, including a 65” flat screen television. Top awards were made possible by our stakeholder sponsors; the first place of $1,500 as well as a 65” TV was provided by PRIME Wealth Advisors, with other major prizes being donated by the Sun City West Foundation ($500 prize) and PORA ($1000, $500, $300).

Two key stakeholder sponsors added to the fun and money raised for the event. Orion Willis, CEO and founder of Prime Wealth Advisors, pledged $11,500 as title sponsor of the three-day event. Dr. Santosh Saini and Mike Saini, of Saini Smiles Dentistry, contributed a matching donation to charity by providing a check of $5,000, which generated significant matching contributions as well as cosmic orange T-shirts for nearly 150 volunteers that made the event run smoothly. The Sun City West Foundation is the administrator for the event and donates hundred of hours receiving, managing and distributing funds.

Additional partner sponsors provided the remaining $3,550 in $100 and $50 prizes along with a contribution to charities: Toni Froese, Home Realty; Western State Bank; Team Peterson, EXP Realty; Wyyerd Fiber, Hole ‘n One Restaurant & BBQ; T-Mobile; Eileen Freydbergl HomeSmart Realty; The Pickleball Space; Green Muscle Solar; To My Surprise Airport Shuttle; Agent Cruz-The Medicare Guy; All About Roofing; Expedia Cruises; Ritual Beauty Skincare; Desert Sun Embroidery; Canyon State A/C, Heating & Plumbing; Haas Medical Supply; Archwell Health Primary Senior Care; Pet Supplies Plus; and Briarwood Country Club.

The event also included food truck offerings, a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, tournament action and nearly 2,000 people in attendance, including spectators, volunteers, sponsors and pickleball players from around the United States and Canada.

The results of the ball drop and tournament were presented at the Sun City West Pickleball Club’s March 19 membership meeting, to thank all of the club members, sponsors, players and volunteers for making this year’s event another success.

“Our club and its members share some common goals: have fun, respect each other and make a difference in our community,” said Brown. “This event is a great example of how this club excels in exceeding the goals they’ve set!”

Visit facebook.com/share/v/16DQHu2Ug8/?mibextid=wwXIfr to see a video of the event, and scwpickleballclub.com for more information about the pickleball club.