Aug. 9 pickleball tournament benefit to aid local family

A family in need in Holmes County is usually a family that is well taken care of, and an upcoming pickleball tournament benefit continues that tradition.

On Friday, Aug. 9 at Heritage Community Center near Winesburg, the Mike Garber Family Benefit Pickle Ball Fundraiser will take place, starting with a meal at 4:30 p.m. and the pickleball tournament starting at 5 p.m.

The event is expected to see a huge turnout, creating a big buzz around what continues to be a growing sport.

Pickleball teams are asked to arrive around 4:30 p.m., when there will be a drawing for the double-elimination tournament. There will be three divisions including open, women’s and co-ed. Preregistration is necessary, and the deadline to sign up for the tournament is Aug. 6. The suggested entry fee is a donation of $100 per team.

The tournament will be played in best-of-three fashion with games going to 11.

According to pickleball organizer Abe Erb, the event will take place on about 16 outdoor courts that will be set up on the cement outside of the center.

“There will be a ton of pickleball action, and we invite anyone who doesn’t play to just come and enjoy the fellowship and the action on the court and support the Garber family.”

The funds brought in from the benefit will help the family with accrued medical expenses.

Mike Garber had recently started his own construction company and suffered a fall that crushed both his heels, forcing him to stop working for a lengthy period of time. Following that, he had to endure surgery for an overactive thyroid condition that further delayed his ability to work, putting a financial burden on his wife and two children.

“This is about helping out our neighbors when there’s a need,” Erb said. “We want to join together to make the burden easier on the family, and by coming together, we can all serve a greater purpose.”

Whether playing or spectating, the event will offer some quality food fare. The food menu will feature Byler’s BBQ, with Byler’s pulled-pork sandwiches, loaded fries, ice cream, brownies and coffee drinks including iced coffee. There also will be fresh kettle corn available. There will be both dine-in and takeout available.

There will be a silent auction featuring prizes such as an E-bike, but the big prizes reside in the raffle, with tickets being $10 apiece or six for $100.

The eight raffle prizes include a one-week Smokey Mountain trip and cabin for up to 12 people, scheduled Oct. 21-26; an Oak Ridge hunting blind delivered and installed within 30 miles; an XL Big Green Egg; a Yeti ice chest filled with steak, ribs, pork chops, hamburger and sausage; a 4-by-10-foot raised bed with a small Stihl tiller; a Pleasant Hill Designs rotating wash line; $1,000 cash; and a six-piece wicker patio set with fireplace.

Anyone wanting to purchase raffle tickets may call 330-600-9682 or 330-600-8941. Checks may be made payable to Winesburg SE Church. Those wishing to sign up for the pickleball tournament may call David at 330-600-5091.

In case of inclement weather, the play will be moved indoors, and the tournament could extend into the following Saturday.

Heritage Community Center is located at 3558 U.S. Route 62 between Winesburg and Berlin.