Pictured: Children from Boys and Girls Club in Newtown that received a Club-N-Box. Courtesy of The Play for Life Foundation.

The Play for Life Foundation, a non-profit organization sponsored by The Pickleball Club, wrapped up 2022 with a donation total of 34 portable pickleball sets, known as a Club-N-Box. To support the foundation’s mission of introducing the sport of pickleball to youth, veterans and first responders, The Play for Life Foundation began donating Club-N-Boxes in2022to qualified organizations, including schools, fire and rescue departments, police departments, youth organizations and nonprofits. Each box contains nets, paddles, balls, and instructional material on how to play and set up a court. Most recently, the foundation received a request for a Club-N-Box from Captiva Island Fire Control Station 181 in Lee County to provide much-needed stress relief and camaraderie for the first responders dealing with devastation from Hurricane Ian.

“It is so humbling and fulfilling to use the sport of pickleball to support our community in being healthier by having fun,” said Valerie McCarthy, executive director of the foundation. “Like our name suggests, we hope people use these donations to become players for life and enjoying this wonderful sport, the fastest growing all across the country.”

Other highlights from 2022 include a donation to James Tillman Elementary School in Manatee County, where coaches are now using the donated equipment to implement pickleball into the physical education curriculum. The philanthropic foundation donated a box to the Bradenton Police Department, which is now being used by officers for community outreach, team building and physical fitness training. All 10 East Manatee Fire Rescue Stations received Club-N-Box deliveries. After a donation to Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, the school started a pickleball club with the new equipment. Other organizations that received donations last year included Girls Inc. of Sarasota, and multiple branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Also notable in 2022, the Play for Life Foundation received recognition from the Community Center of Sarasota County as a Giving Partner. The foundation relies on local businesses and individual support for most of its funding for the Club-N-Boxes. This year, Play for Life has a goal of donating 50 Club-N-Boxes. For more information or to make a donation to help fund a box, visit P4L.org.

Pictured: Children from Boys and Girls Club in Newtown that received a Club-N-Box. Courtesy of The Play for Life Foundation.