Play It Forward 2022 – Recap by Rose Alford, Director of Play it Forward
Saturday, August 6th – Pickleball Shootout at the STPC
32 players in 3.25-3.75
20 players in 4.0-4.25
12 players in 4.5+
What a beautiful day of pickleball and raising awareness and funds for rare cancer research! The day started with the 3.25-3.75 players from 8-12 noon. Marcy Pummill is the master of tournaments and had everyone playing and enjoying friendly competition all morning long. Meanwhile the PIF crew had an extensive prize drawing selection for players, friends, and family to participate in. Players were fueled with Honey Stinger hydration, energy waffles, nuts, pretzels, and, of course, pickles! On and off the court, folks exchanged names and numbers so they could play together at other times. Mette Hyldgaard Smith came from Sundance Health Zone with a “tea drop”. What’s that? They make loaded teas which provide healthy energy, 24 calories, and no sugar. All players were greeted with free teas halfway into their games. Thanks Mette! All players received a complimentary Play It Forward t-shirt to inspire them throughout the year.
The 4.0-4.25 and 4.5+ crews played from 12:30-4:30 and WOW what a skilled group of players! As they battled it out on the courts, more and more spectators came to try to learn a thing or two and enjoy the day. All (including me) were inspired and might just be keeping Lexi and other instructors busy soon with lessons! 😊 The last 4.5+ game of the day had everyone quietly watching and then bursting into cheers when a point was won. It almost felt like the US Open!
We had a table set up with four testimonials from community members battling rare cancer so people could read their stories. One of my favorite parts of the day was how many people came up to me and shared their story of how they are dealing with cancer themselves or a close friend or family member. Others just wanted to thank us for putting this event on to raise awareness and bring our community together to give support. It takes a lot of money to fund research, but it starts with private funding. Once progress is made, then government funding steps in. WE MADE A DIFFERENCE with this event everybody! Thank you!
The day didn’t end there. The PIF crew had beers and wine on ice, Yampa Sandwich Company sandwiches, chips and cookies. Live music by Paul Geppert was enjoyed by all. Rose gave a teary eyed thanks to everyone that made this day possible. Sponsors, players, the STPC staff, Marcy, food donations, prize donations and the amazing PIF crew. Awards for 1st place were handed out.
3.25-3.75 (2 categories) – Matt Hall and Florence _______
4.0-4.25 – Gabe Downey
4.5+ Sean Pummill
A huge thanks to Marcy and Loretta for working with us to make this event so fun and successful.
I’m proud to say that we’ve made just over $35,000 / 100% going to Memorial Sloan Kettering for rare cancer research. I’m in awe of the efforts that MSK makes every day in research to find better cancer treatments. Thank you MSK! You give us all hope.
Our Sponsors:
SLAM:
- Smartwool
- Olson/Tolan Group at Steamboat Sotheby’s
VOLLEY:
- Steamboat Lodging Company
- Big Agnes
- Spoke and Vine
- Steamboat Radio
DINK:
- CO Group Realty
- Wither Team – CO Group Realty
- Moving Mountains
- Solutions Parenting Support with Jen Murphy
- Lawton Painting Company
- SBT GRVL – Amy Charity
- State Farm – Debbie Aragon
Others to THANK:
Testimonials given by: Matt Alford, Anita Handing, Eliza Yeager, and Jeff Meyers
Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball
Element Printing
Sundance Health Zone
Manic Training
Susan Geeslin (donated all the wine!)
Yampy Sandwich Co.
Storm Peak Brewing (donated all the beer)
Cacto Fab – hand made the trophies
SPECIAL THANKS to the PIF Crew: Jonelle Leppert, Amy Lawton, Kristy Fox, Sarah Bradford, Gina Wither, Jen Murphy, Julie Franklin, Erin Brosterhous
Rose’s amazing husband, Matt Alford, and son Trout Alford
Thank you Everybody who was a part of this event!
Blessings
Rose Alford
