The charity pickleball tournament hosted on March 2nd by FortheGirls (FTG) at the Pickleball Spot was an event to remember.
FTG is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting women who lack support and resources during pregnancy and other stages of motherhood. The mission of the organization is to provide a space where women can lift each other up and connect with one another through stories about their past. These connections allow the organization to develop a sense of community and inspire women.
With the aim of raising awareness and support for their mission, the tournament invited players to engage in a day of pickleball, bringing together CVHS students and members of the broader community. The entry fee of $15, with half of the profits going directly toward local women’s shelters, ensured that participants contributed to an important cause. The event was a success, highlighting commitment to supporting mothers in need while enjoying friendly competition through the joy of the game.
Juniors Vaani Gupta and Lilly Logue founded FTG. They opened a CVHS chapter and brought in help from junior Alicia Perez as secretary and a variety of club members.
“The club and non-profit [were] put together this year, and so far, we have done book drives, volunteering and a pickleball tournament. In the near future, we plan to host a bake sale and workout class,” Logue said.
Players at the tournament enjoyed spirited matches, while the energy highlighted the collaborative mindset of the nonprofit’s supporters. Gupta took on the responsibility of organizing the event to ensure that it was a seamless experience for both players and spectators.
“Through this pickleball tournament, FTG was able to raise over $350 in funds that will go towards women’s shelters,” said Logue.
The event not only helped raise awareness for this non-profit, but it also gave people an opportunity to have fun while making a difference. At the beginning of the tournament, Gupta and Logue gave a brief explanation of the non-profit as well as their goals for this year. Players were invited to donate by buying concessions or donating directly.
“The tournament was a fun way for me to learn about this new non-profit. I plan on playing in the next one,” Episcopal junior Kyra Spears said.
The tournament consisted of two brackets: an all-girls bracket and a co-ed bracket. Between both brackets, there were a total of six winning teams (first, second and third for each bracket). Players participated in four games and had scores and point differentials tallied to determine the winners. The winners of the co-ed bracket were CVHS senior Samir Kassam and DeBakey High School senior Kevin Chen, while the winners of the all-girls bracket included Episcopal High School juniors Spears and Amelia Kusinski.
Kassam said, “I play pickleball all the time and I got to play for a good cause. I even came out of the tournament with a new pickleball bag and t-shirt.”
Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the members of Houston community and CVHS students, FTG non-profit continues to grow and provide essential support to women and mothers, reminding us all of the power of coming together for a special cause.
