Pictured: From left to right: Sergeant Aaron Pilant, Officer Josh Sanchez, Officer Zachary Butterfield, Assistant Chief Joe Wiesman, Bradenton Police Department.

Early next year, The Pickleball Club, a brand-new, healthy living, private pickleball complex will be opening in Lakewood Ranch. Eager to give back to the community in which they live, the Club's owners, Brian and Valerie McCarthy started The Play For Life Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to three key categories: the youth, veterans and first responders, who are often at an increased risk for stress-related physical and mental illnesses. The Play for Life Foundation’s mission is to introduce the sport of pickleball to qualified organization by granting a Club-N-Box, containing nets, paddles, balls, and instructional material on how to play and setup a court.

On October 28th, National First Responders Day, the Foundation donated its 31st Club-N-Box portable pickleball set to the Bradenton Police Department.

“We are very appreciative of Play For Life's donation, and plan to use the Club-N-Box for community outreach programs throughout the year, as well as for fun team building and physical training activities for our Officers and Bradenton Police Explorers Post No.1004,” said Bradenton Police Department Assistant Chief Joe Wiesman.

The West Manatee Fire Rescue Station was a recent recipient of a Club-N-Box. "You can't believe how much fun it is giving one of these boxes to our local firefighters," says Brian McCarthy, founder of The Pickleball Club and chairman and president of the Foundation. "They move the fire engine out, open up the doors, set up the court and they start playing pickleball in the firehouse. It is so cool to see.”

“My husband Brian and I started the Play For Life Foundation to be an extension of The Pickleball Club and be able to give back to our community so that they can improve their healthy lifestyle with a fun sport that can be enjoyed by all ages,” said Valerie McCarthy, executive director of the non-profit organization. “We hope these donated sets will not only provide athletic enjoyment for the Bradenton Police Department, but also be a way for officers to relieve stress.”

Pictured: From left to right: Sergeant Aaron Pilant, Officer Josh Sanchez, Officer Zachary Butterfield, Assistant Chief Joe Wiesman, Bradenton Police Department.

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