Evergreen pickleball players proved last year they can have a lot of fun raising money for Evergreen Christian Outreach, but we’re counting on even more fun and more funds this year.

We raised $2,000 in 2023, but EPC social director Kathy Kincannon is pulling out all the stops to put on an even bigger, better and more lucrative party. (All funds raised go to EChO.)

Brisket, chicken and pulled pork from Genesee Pub & Barbecue, drinks at happy hour prices and a silent auction will be on the agenda at The Wild Game Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are available now on the EPC website; you don’t need to be a club member and you can register up to eight people at a time, making it easy to bring a group. The ticket price of $35 each covers $20 for food, a $10 donation to EChO and $5 for gratuity and a raffle ticket.

There will be a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses. A Christmas tree will be festooned with pickleball-stamped envelopes to be filled with checks from party attendees, who will mail them directly to EChO. Suggested amounts will be written inside the envelopes to let you make kids’ Christmas wishes come true.

Prizes from EPC will be raffled off, with extra tickets available for purchase. Branded gear will be up for grabs, along with many other prizes.

More enticements will be revealed as the party approaches, but as always, a lot of the entertainment will be furnished by your pickleball buddies sharing smack talk and taking you on at ping pong.

EPRD pickleball events

Tomorrow is a no-school day for Jeffco Schools, so the west half of the Wulf gym is reserved from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for EPRD camp. Pickleball drop-in play will be limited to the two east courts when camp is using the gym.

Jeff Sweet noted that there are open spots in two upcoming pickleball events at Wulf. You can register now for a Novice/Intermediate Mixer on Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Registration also is open for an Advanced Pickleball Tournament at Wulf Saturday, Jan. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Dispatch from Austria

Mary McAleer was kind enough to respond to a request for info on Austrian pickleball last month, so here is her report, which also includes regular newsletter correspondent Tim “Mac” McAleer.

“We had the pleasure of playing pickleball with Scott and Klaudia Haebe in Austria last week. They found a gym that is about 30 minutes away from where they live and put up nets on the badminton courts (which have similar lines). They haven’t found too many people to play with yet, but they are teaching their friends how to play and will keep searching for other players.

“They will be in Klaudia’s home country of Austria for about a year and are staying with Klaudia’s mom. Scott is coaching basketball and Klaudia is working in a shop.They say to let everyone know that they miss Evergreen very much and really miss playing pickleball with everyone.”

Thanks for the note from abroad, Mary. Everyone is encouraged to submit photos from their pickleball adventures around the state, country and the world to the newsletter.

EPC Holiday Gala will be bigger and better

It’s a party: Be there or be missed

New schedule at Wulf, switch at Marshdale