Pickleball Social Event Raises More Than $15,000 for Downtown Children's Community Space
10 Years of Giving: A Day to Celebrate
What better way to celebrate 10 years of giving than by bringing our community together for a little friendly competition?
On August 22, The Giver Foundation celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a pickleball tournament at The Country Club of Spartanburg. The event was both a celebration of a decade of giving and a fundraiser to help create a permanent downtown space where children can play, connect, and grow.
The goal was to raise $10,000. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our players, sponsors, donors, and community, we surpassed that goal and raised more than $15,000.
The day was filled with laughter, fierce competition, and friendly rivalries as teams from across the community took to the courts. Congratulations to Team Cutler + Fulmer, who claimed the overall championship after a tough match against Team Fairey + Mueller, our runner-up team.
We also celebrated some standout teams:
Best Court Fashion: Team Laws + Harding
Best Comeback: Team Fritz + Cashman
Best Court Chemistry: Team Fisher + Fisher
Best Tall/Short Duo: Team Wilson + Neely
We were honored to have Mayor Jerome Rice join us and share his thoughts about the future downtown community space this fundraiser will help support.
A Decade of Giving
Ten years ago, The Giver Foundation began with a simple idea from a five-year-old boy. Tradd Hodge wanted to create a holiday to help children in hospitals. That idea became Tradd's Giving Day and eventually grew into The Giver Foundation.
Today, that same spirit of giving continues through our youth-led organization supported by volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community partners who believe that everyone can make a difference.
This anniversary tournament was a celebration of how far that original idea has come and a step toward creating a permanent space for children in our community. More than $15,000 raised in one afternoon is about more than a fundraising goal. It is a reflection of what can happen when young people have an idea and a community believes in it.
To everyone who played, volunteered, sponsored, donated, cheered, or has supported The Giver Foundation over the past 10 years, THANK YOU!