Pickleball players are playing it forward in Vandalia.
Thanks to the success of last fall’s inaugural Paddle-Palooza, a 36-hour pickleball marathon held at Helke Park, a portion of the Helke Learning Center’s playground will soon be shaded, creating a safer and more comfortable space for preschool students and families.
The Vandalia-Butler Foundation is contributing $8,000 in proceeds, its largest grant in the foundation’s history, along with a $1,150 VISIONS grant to fund the shade structure. Vancon General Contractor and Capstone Property Solutions are generously donating their labor pro bono.
Paddle-Palooza drew 200 pickleball players, spectators and volunteers from Vandalia and surrounding communities. The weekend event was co-sponsored by the Vandalia-Butler Foundation and Vandalia Parks and Recreation, with additional support from the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club of Vandalia-Butler, Abbey Credit Union, R.B. Jergens, Minster Bank, Thrivent, North Dixie Self Storage, Digital Cowboy and Xcel Physical Therapy.
“This project is a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together,” said Denise Eder, co-chair of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation and chair of its Education Committee. “We are deeply grateful to every player, sponsor and volunteer who made Paddle-Palooza such a success. Their generosity will have a lasting impact on our youngest learners for years to come.”
The shaded playground area will “create a safer, more comfortable and more engaging space where students can explore, play, and grow,” said Brian Tregoning, principal of Helke Learning Center. “Shaded play spaces support longer and more frequent outdoor play — key for building social skills, coordination and creativity. Both our students and the families who visit our playgrounds will benefit from the new shade structure.”
The Vandalia-Butler Foundation and its funds are components of The Dayton Foundation. While leadership for the Vandalia-Butler Foundation rests within the local community, fiscal oversight is provided by The Dayton Foundation, which serves the Dayton/Miami Valley area. This partnership allows the Vandalia-Butler community to benefit from local leadership while leveraging pooled resources for long-term investment growth.
For more information or questions, please email info@vandalia-butlerfoundation.org.