Women’s pickleball league (with ‘The Golden Bachelor’ alum) support Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
The Women’s POWER Pickleball League in Palm Beach County is making a difference on and off the court as they recently held a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida at The Addison in Boca Raton.
The Women’s POWER Pickleball League of Palm Beach County is making a difference on and off the court as they recently had a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida at The Addison in Boca Raton.
The Women’s POWER Pickleball League consists of 55-and-older female pickleball players who are dedicated to fostering camaraderie, skill development and a spirit of giving back. The league had a tournament fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida last September and has continued to raise funds throughout the 2024 season.
Catherine Barton, CEO and founder of Women’s POWER Pickleball, expressed their unwavering commitment to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
“This partnership goes beyond the courts, reflecting our shared dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of these extraordinary children,” she said.
Kayla Scognamillo, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida special event coordinator, said the league revealed to Make-A-Wish recipient Raven at the fundraiser that her wish to attend Florida theme parks was granted.
“The Women’s POWER Pickleball League has raised more than $27,000 to benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida for kids’ dreams to come true,” she said.
The league’s first “Wishful Dinking” event at The Addison included an awards ceremony to celebrate more than 1,200 members in the league. They also raised awareness of its partnership with Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and provides hope, strength, and joy during their challenging journey.
The league also embraced women who have broken barriers. The guest speaker included Jane Barkman Brown, an Olympian gold medalist swimmer.
“I admire all of these women who are out here doing something positive,” Barkman Brown said. “My message is to be grateful for what you have. It’s important to just have fun and stay in the moment.”
Barkman Brown was a two-time Olympic champion. She won a gold medal as a member of the USA women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay team in 1968 in Mexico City. She also won the gold medal in the same event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
“I had a lot of wonderful memories and made lifelong friends,” she said.
Ellen Goltzer, a Delray Beach resident who starred on ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” also participated in a question-and-answer session. Goltzer, who formerly was a physical education and health teacher, is a captain for her team in the Women’s POWER Pickleball League.
“I have been in the league for three years and I love it,” she said. “We get to play all different communities and get to meet new people. I learned all about the people in my community through pickleball. It’s really wonderful the camaraderie with teammates and making friends. I have also met former high school friends through pickleball.”
Goltzer said the awards ceremony was empowering for women in the league.
“I think it’s a wonderful women’s event and it’s about women coming together in athletics,” she said. “It’s really a way to enjoy all the hard work we have done and celebrate. The leaders that run the league put a lot into it and we are really appreciative.”
Goltzer reflected on her journey on “The Golden Bachelor,” which also included an opportunity to showcase her passion for pickleball.
“It was so great to win the pickleball competition on the show,” she said. “My pickleball partner, Kathy, and I were on the cover of a magazine for it. It was such a wonderful experience. It was one of the most fun days I had. It was great representing pickleball as a female on the show. That was the best experience. The show was so special and wonderful for me.”
Dereck Prince, who is a pickleball instructor, referee and tournament director, was also a guest of honor at the fundraiser to support the league.
“It’s a sense of community,” he said. “It’s a ton of laughs and it’s enjoyable. It’s been a privilege helping children, teenagers, young adults and older adults with the game.”
WPEC-Ch. 12 anchorwoman Sam Kerrigan presented awards and meteorologist Lauren Olesky also was on hand for a “Stump the Weather Woman” segment.
Visit pwrpickleball.com and wish.org/sfla.