By Sue Lynn Ledford, Guest Columnist
I am writing to inform our community about an exciting event that Four Square Community Action is sponsoring – a pickleball tournament/fundraiser at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Hayesville as well as at 5 p.m. in Murphy.
The event will support Four Square programs that provide housing, early childhood education, food support, and address health and safety needs of low-income individuals and families in our region of Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain counties.
Four Square Community Action Agency is a nonprofit organization (501)(c)(3) with a vision to help low-income individuals and families turn their hopes into reality. As a local entity with a 60-year history supporting the needs of our region, our dedicated team strives daily to address the region’s housing, early childhood education, food, health and safety needs so the families and individuals served can become more self-sufficient and live a higher quality of life.
The decision to make this pickleball tournament our primary annual fundraising event is a new endeavor, so we have a team of talented volunteers from Cherokee and Clay counties who have expertise in pickleball tournaments. Jeri Lash, Mike Gonzalez, Debbie Hooper and Terence Faries have energized our efforts. Pickleball is a fun and engaging sport that brings people of all ages together, and we believe this event will not only raise much-needed funds, but also foster a sense of community spirit.
Sponsorships are needed and a great way for businesses and individuals to take part. The various levels of sponsorship:
Platinum sponsor, $1,000 or more, benefits include:
- A speaking opportunity and/or an info booth at our event.
- Your name headlined on our banner.
- Name prominently displayed on our T-shirts.
- One participant T-shirt.
Gold sponsor, $500, benefits include:
- An info booth at our event.
- Your name on our T-shirts.
- One participant T-shirt.
- Your name/logo displayed on a sign at our major venues.
Silver sponsor, $250, benefits include:
- Your name on our T-shirts.
- One T-shirt.
- Your name/logo displayed on a sign at our major venues.
Bronze sponsor, $150, benefits include:
- Your name on our T-shirts.
- One participant T-shirt.
- Your name is listed on a sign at our major venues.
Tournament players – There is only space for 70 participants, so sign up now. Players who donate $50 or more will receive a tournament T-shirt. Join the fun.
Volunteers – Needed to help promote the event, gather sponsors, and share in the fun of the events by helping set up and enjoy the events.
All registration forms are at foursquarecommunityactioninc.com, or call 828-321-4475 and ask for Teresa Hughes or myself.
The writer is executive director of Four Square Community Action Inc. based in Andrews.