By Guest Blogger – Lilly Schroeder
This winter marks 10 years since my best friend Elli died by suicide. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the weight of her absence. To honor this milestone and to turn pain into purpose, Elli’s family, friends, and I are hosting a pickleball fundraiser—PickEl Ball—to raise awareness around mental health and support Mental Health America (MHA) Lakeshore.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help MHA Lakeshore continue their important work in suicide prevention and mental health programming. We aim to create a lasting impact in our community by sparking conversations around mental wellness and ensuring more people have access to the care and resources they need. Mental health continues to be a growing concern both locally and nationwide, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide affecting people of all ages. In Sheboygan County, mental health ranked as one of the top health concerns in the last two community health surveys. In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 – 24.
The tournament will have different brackets for playing levels so it is open to all from beginners to advanced players. The Sports Core has the best indoor pickleball facility in the county and it is going to be a competitive yet fun event. There will be more programming and things to do outside of pickleball if you are not interested.
Event Details: The tournament is open to all skill levels, with different brackets to ensure everyone—whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player—can enjoy the fun. Plus, even if pickleball isn’t your game, there will be plenty of other activities to enjoy!
How You Can Help:
