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Play for Life Foundation Updates May 2023
Play For Life Foundation News & Updates
The Play For Life Foundation's mission is to introduce the sport of pickleball to our community's Youth, Veterans, and First Responders. By improving their mental and physical health by living a more active and healthier lifestyle through the sport of pickleball. Organizations request a grant from the Foundation. Each qualified organization is granted a Club-N-Box, containing a net, paddles, balls, and instructional material on how to set up a court and play the game.
The Play for Life Foundation Team has had a busy and fulfilling couple of months! Deliveries to several fire/rescue stations in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, a special delivery to Ian damaged Sanibel Fire/Rescue, a very memorable delivery to Booker Elementary School, a tour and delivery to Manatee County Boys and Girls Clubs and more! The portable pickleball set affords firefighters to maximize their cardio in addition to providing a healthy emotional outlet after difficult calls. Each Club-N-Box delivery serves to improve the physical and mental health of the first responders while also promoting teamwork and camaraderie through pickleball. And we continue our mission to get our local youth away from smart phones and video games and enjoying all of the physical and mental benefits of Pickleball!
Play for LIFE!
Spotlight: PE Teacher from Emma E. Booker Elementary: Amber Rylak
Board member Karen Conkel and two volunteer certified Pickleball Instructors delivered three Club-N-Box sets to Emma E. Booker Elementary. They set up the nets and taught a class of 5th graders how to play! It was such a powerful and impactful day for all. This PE Teacher is an inspiration and hero.
She told us stories about the positive impact the Club-N-Box Pickleball Kits have already made on her students, including one young boy who strongly refused to come to PE. Now he shows up every day to PLAY pickleball! And the teachers are also forming clubs and times to play. Amber's goal for Pickleball is that at least one child has a better life because of the sport.
Samantha's Friends + Play For Life
Samantha's Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with other non-profit organizations to assist the community. They have chosen to partner with the Play for Life Foundation. Samantha's Friends held a Fundraiser Gala event on May 20 & 21 where some of the proceeds raised were donated to Play for Life and we had the opportunity to share our mission, accomplishments, and plans for the future. Another fundraiser benefitting Play for Life will be held on September 9th and 10th. Tickets are available for this fun and meaningful event.
For more information or to purchase tickets please call 941-518-3906
Check out the Digital Journal article following the Star-Studded May Event
Chairman and President, Brian McCarthy, Executive Director, Valerie McCarthy, and Board Member, Karen Conkel are excited about a presence at The Pickleball Club of LWR. Stop by our table for more information! We appreciate the gifts of your time, talent, and treasure!
Be A Part of Something Great - Join the Cornerstone Society
This exclusive club is ready for YOU to join! This is an important program for our community and those who believe in our mission to serve first responders, veterans and our local youth. You or your company will be recognized as a Founding 2023 Member on the wall at The Pickleball Club, receive invitations to special Play for Life events, receive online recognition, and a special Challenge Coin designed by Founder, Brian McCarthy. We also have a MATCH opportunity! Contact Karen Conkel at KarenPlaysForLife@gmail.com or call her at 941-224-8664
We have many unfunded requests for Club-N-Boxes. These requests are very exciting and a great opportunity to help the Youth, Veterans, and First Responders in our local community. Help the Play For Life Foundation by donating today! All donations will go directly to funding each Club-N-Box.
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Roy McBean
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Gocio School Site
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Lee Wetherington
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Gene Matthews
Sea of Strengths Academy
North Port Fire Rescue Station 84
Manatee County Boys and Girls Club
Emma E. Booker Elementary School
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Station
West Manatee Fire Rescue Station 3
North River Fire Brigade Station
Sarasota Military Academy Prep
North Port Fire Rescue Station 86
Resilient Retreat
East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 1
East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 3
East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 5
East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 7
East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 11
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus
Bradenton Police Department
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Robert and Joan Lee
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Newtown Estates Park
Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties - Louis and Gloria Flanzer
Captiva Island Fire Control District Station 181
Sarasota County Fire Department Station 1
Orange County Fire Department Station
Sanibel Fire/Rescue Station
Nonprofit Membership
Play For Life is a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Congratulations to Jan Sullivan for her big WIN of our Play for Life Raffle! She won a unique Play for Life Logo Pickleball Paddle and a basket from Sunshine Baskets! Thank you to all who participated. Stay tuned for the next opportunity to WIN by GIVING!
Just a reminder Play For Life will never ask for any of your personal or financial information via email. Any suspicious email should be sent to info@P4L.org.
