The Santa Clarita Valley is a place that celebrates connection and community. Whether it is greeting your neighbor on the paseos, volunteering at the local food bank, or helping at Little League, there are many ways locals make a difference every day.
On the third weekend in November, three pillars of the SCV community are teaming up for an epic charity pickleball tournament — the Paseo Club, Dink for Cause, and The New Way — and they want to see you there!
The Paseo Club is a social club that opened twenty years ago to support members in fitness, health, and wellness. They often work with local organizations by hosting fundraisers.
In this article, you will learn about the organizations behind the Dink for Cause Holiday Charity Tournament, what happens at the tournament, and how to sign up to participate.
What is Dink for Cause?
Dink for Cause is a non-profit organization founded in Santa Clarita in 2022 by Monica Hicks and Mitra Sushinsky.
Their goal is to “raise money and awareness for various charities and nonprofits through hosting pickleball events and tournaments, bringing communities together, and helping others one dink at a time.”
What is the inspiration for creating Dink for Cause?
Monica Hicks was married and a mother to three children when her husband, Leo, was diagnosed with leukemia. Bone marrow transplant or stem cell treatment was the only chance of treating the cancer. Leo was able to receive a stem cell transplant, which helped him live another 14 months.
While undergoing treatment, he vowed to Monica that he wanted to “pay it forward” by sharing his story and supporting the Be the Match bone marrow registry.
Although Leo’s life was cut short, Monica took his promise to heart and created Dink for Cause as a platform to help Be the Match and other essential local charities.
Monica teamed up with friend, pickleball partner, and scientist Mitra Sushinsky, and Dink for Cause was born.
What is The New Way?
The New Way is a nonprofit in Santa Clarita that supports unhoused people to find homes and jobs in the area.
Santa Clarita is often thought of as a middle-class and wealthy community. But many are struggling to find affordable housing and adequate income. In fact, there are between 600-1000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clarita.
The New Way’s founder, Jess Guidroz, is a teacher at La Mesa Jr. High School and has seen his students and their families struggle over the years. Half of his students are on free and reduced meal plans.
Jess created The New Way to support local families by raising money to pay for their first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and the first four months of groceries and utilities.
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What is happening at the Dink for Cause Holiday Charity Tournament?
Dink for Cause has organized a charity pickleball tournament from 7 am - 6 pm on November 18 and 19, and all of the proceeds will benefit The New Way. This event will be held at the Paseo Club in Valencia.
This event is for pickleball players of many levels:
- 4.5+ Men’s
- 3.0; 3.5; 4.0 Women’s
- 3.0; 3.5; 4.0 Men’s Doubles
- 2.5; 3.0; 3.5; 4.0 Mixed Doubles
Women's and Men's matches will be on Saturday, November 18th and the mixed matches will be on Sunday, November 19th. Prizes will be awarded to all division medalists.
How can people sign up for the Dink for Cause Holiday Charity Tournament?
Registration ends November 10th, so sign up today! The registration fee is $70 per person and event. If you would like to attend a second event, the fee is an additional $30. There is also a $5 service fee per event.
As of November 6, there are almost 200 people registered. This event will be a community celebration, pickleball tournament, and fundraiser all in one — so make sure to be there!
Spectators are welcome to come and watch the tournament. They can help to raise more funds by purchasing tickets at the raffle table and/or making a donation to The New Way. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the Paseo Club’s Porch and Clubhouse.
Supporting the Santa Clarita Community
Nonprofits and charities embody what is best in our community. They provide a platform for people to join together for a common good. They give shape to our ideals and causes dear to our hearts.
Individuals make up 80% of the donations that charities receive — not corporations or private foundations. Even small donations make a difference.
In this article, you learned about Dink for Cause, The New Way, and how you can get involved in supporting these Santa Clarita nonprofits by attending the Dink for Cause Holiday Charity Tournament.
The Paseo Club is a social club that supports the community by teaming up with local and national nonprofits such as Dink for Cause, Michael Hoefflin Foundation, and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as well as many others.
If you would like to be a member of a club that offers over 60 fitness classes each week, has tennis and pickleball courts, and a junior Olympic pool, then the Paseo Club may be a great fit for you.
Schedule a tour today and check out our eight acres of facilities and meet members, instructors, and staff.
*Photos provided by Tor Rolf Johansen
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