First responders benefit from pickleball free play day event

Sixty local pickleball players filled the courts Nov. 29 at Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball near Lewes for a Free Play Day to Support First Responders, an event that raised $825 for the Shaffer Family Foundation and boosted awareness of its work honoring Delaware’s first responders.

The club donated its space, staff and event resources so all contributions from participants could go directly to the foundation. Players registered and played for free while making voluntary donations throughout the day.

“It was great. It was a really cool thing. We will do it again,” said Kyle Shaffer, director of the Shaffer Family Foundation. “It’s a good way for a nonprofit to get the word out about what they do.”

The Shaffer Family Foundation provides support and recognition for police, fire, emergency medical services and other first responder agencies, and organizes events including its annual Rally for Our First Responders.

Dave Marshall, owner of Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball, and a Grand Slam-winning tennis and pickleball coach, said supporting local nonprofits is core to the club’s mission.

“We are a community-based business here,” Marshall said. “We appreciate what the nonprofits of our area do and are happy to be able to support them in this small way.”

For more information on the Shaffer Family Foundation, visit ShafferFoundation.com.