Pickleball Tournament Raises $25K for Adult Literacy

Smashing pickleballs turned into smashing fundraising goals when a Virginia Rotary club raised $25,000 for adult literacy programs in a single tournament.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club hosted an indoor pickleball tournament at cvilleSMASH in Charlottesville last week. Dozens of players grabbed their paddles for a cause that changes lives every day: helping adults learn to read, write, and speak English.

Every dollar raised goes directly to Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle. This organization provides completely free lessons to more than 400 local residents through volunteer tutors.

"Our club is committed to service above self," said Kay Lanahan, President of Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club. "Literacy impacts every aspect of someone's life, and we're excited to help create a future full of better jobs and stronger families in our community."

The program teaches far more than just reading and writing. Students learn basic education skills, English conversation, and even prepare for U.S. citizenship tests. All instruction comes from trained volunteer tutors who donate their time.

The Ripple Effect

When an adult learns to read, entire families transform. Parents can help children with homework, read medicine labels correctly, fill out job applications, and understand important documents. One skill unlocks countless doors.

The $25,000 raised will help Literacy Volunteers serve even more community members who want to improve their lives through education. That means more tutors trained, more materials purchased, and more neighbors getting the support they need.

Combining a trendy sport with serious community impact shows how creative fundraising can be both fun and powerful. The tournament proved that friendly competition and serious purpose make perfect partners.