Charity Pickleball Classic Serves Up Community, Competition & $8,000 for Veterans 

the Howe & Rusling Team

This past month on April 11, the inaugural Charity Pickleball Classic brought together an incredible mix of colleagues, clients, partners, and community members for a day of friendly competition and meaningful impact — delivering an outstanding result for both the players and the cause.

Hosted at the Fairport Pickleball Club, the event featured a dynamic lineup of men’s, women’s, and mixed division matches across a range of skill levels. From the first serve in the morning through the final matches of the day, the courts were filled with energy, camaraderie, and just the right amount of competitive spirit. 

Beyond the matches themselves, the true highlight of the day was the collective commitment to giving back. Thanks to the generosity of participants, sponsors, and volunteers — along with the success of the raffle and on-site activities — the tournament raised over $8,000 in support of the Veterans Outreach Center (VOC). These funds will directly support vital programs and services for veterans in our local community. 

Events like this are only possible through strong collaboration and support. We are incredibly grateful to our partners, AM Gray Law, H&R Tax Advisors and the Fairport Pickleball Club, along with everyone who helped plan, organize, and execute the event seamlessly. Most importantly, thank you to all who participated for helping make a meaningful impact for local veterans. 

Given the enthusiasm and momentum from this year’s tournament, we are excited to share that the Charity Pickleball Classic will become an annual tradition, raising funds each year for a variety of charitable organizations. 

Be sure to save the date — next year’s tournament will take place on April 17, 2027 — and we look forward to building on this year’s success to make an even greater impact in the years ahead. 

Thank you again to everyone who participated, supported, and helped make this event such a success. We can’t wait to see you on the courts next year. 

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