Choose Folsom Leadership Class project meets it’s donation goals to benefit Cummings Park, Jake’s Journey Home

The Leadership Folsom Class of 2024 hosted a charity pickleball tournament dubbed Pickle For A Purpose on Sunday, May 19 at LifeTime Fitness to benefit a picnic area refresh at Cummings Family Park and Jake’s Journey Home.

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Participating companies donated enough funds to contribute $6,800 for the refresh of the picnic pavilion which will cover the cost of new picnic tables and waste cans. Jakes Journey Home volunteers were on hand to receive a check for $3,000 which will be used to assist unhoused veterans and community members. “We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in and supported Pickle for a Purpose this past Sunday!” Choose Folsom stated via their social media account. 

The event sponsors each received multiple entries into the tournament which were filled by employees of the sponsoring companies. Tournament play extended throughout the morning followed by a BBQ lunch and awards ceremony. “We would like to thank all of our donors for making this event a success and our venue sponsor Lifetime for making their courts available for the tournament,” said event emcee Brian Martell, a member of the Folsom Leadership class.

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The event was sponsored by LifeTime Fitness, Dignity Health, DVBE Connect, Sutter Health, USI, Broadridge, Clutch, Hampton Inn & Suites, Micron, MacKay & Somps, Choose Folsom, and The More Real Estate Group.

Volunteers from Jake’s Journey home were present to participate in the event and receive the $3,000 donation, including founder Jeanne Schuman. Several City of Folsom employees were on hand to receive the donation for Cummings Family Park of $6,800. 

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Teams registered in one of three different levels based on their experience playing pickleball. Winning team for the most experienced bracket was Ivan Rastami and Mike Edger. Winning team for the middle bracket was Hugh Gaffney and Suresh Nagarajan, and the novice bracket was won by Kayla Combs and teammate. Randall Hakes of the Leadership Folsom Class of 2024 said of the tournament, “We had beautiful weather, awesome competition at all skill levels, and fantastic food and facilities thanks to LifeTime. But most important of all, we had two great causes to benefit.” 

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 Choose Folsom is the umbrella organization for the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, Visit Folsom Tourism Bureau, and Folsom Economic Development. Headquartered at 200 Wool St in the heart of Folsom’s Historic District, they can be contacted at 916-985-2698 or https://choosefolsom.com. Andrew Tweet at the Folsom Public Library is available to answer questions on behalf of the Leadership Folsom Class 2024 regarding the Pickle For A Purpose event.