Despite Mother Nature not being a team player on Saturday, October 17, players, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and spectators rallied to overcome the rain for a day of friendly competition and fun – albeit with a delayed start. Because of everyone’s patience and positivity, our third annual pickleball friend and fund raiser, The Big Serve, was a BIG success!

There were so many highlights from the day! Please check out The Big Serve pictures below. From a Big and a Little from different Matches teaming up to play, to the Social grouping players’ laughter and enthusiasm ringing across the courts, to some stellar play by our Competitive grouping players, and family and friends cheering in support, it was truly a day of community.

As we know from our day-to-day work at Big Brothers Big Sisters, success is the result of the investment of many. And we have a lot of people and companies to thank for helping make The Big Serve a success.

• Many thanks to the players who patiently awaited weather updates and as we navigated email issues. Your understanding made the difficult decisions to delay the start not only manageable, but you brought the energy, enthusiasm, and fun, demonstrating the depth and connectedness of our community.

• Thank you to our volunteers who dried courts, set up – and then took down – canopies, tables, chairs, and signage, managed the food, and filled in when playing partners were needed. Because of you, the event ran smoothly.

• We deeply appreciate the investments of Morris & Wells Wealth Management, Martin Horn, Red Light Management, UVA Health Orthopedics, Align Energy Advisors, Guesthouses, Nancy & Peter Tuz, York Property, Carter Myers Automotive, Common Wealth Crush, Crutchfield, Shelter Associates, Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters, and Anonymous Friend as sponsors. Shout out to the Guesthouses, Martin Horn, and Red Light teams for representing out there on the courts!

• Thank you to our community partner, Central Virginia Pickleball Club, for helping us with the tournament and hosting clinics for our Matches. A special thanks goes out to Cathy Konoza and Maureen Novotne for helping run the show and Steve Vegodsky and Wayan Wirahadisaputra for lending a helping hand.

• Thanks, too, to the Friends of The Big Serve for providing food, prizes, and more – Bodo’s Bagels, Botanical, Burton’s Grill & Bar, Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters, The Jervey, The Market by Tiger Fuel, Torchy’s Tacos, and Wegmans.

• We appreciate our new friends at Nothing Bundt Cakes, who provided certificates for free Bundtlets for the player swag bags and hosted a cake sale with proceeds benefitting BBBS.

• For helping spread the word about BBBS and The Big Serve, many thanks to our media partners CharlottesvilleFamily and Virginia Summer Camp and to the Charlottesville Radio Group stations, CBS19, NBC29, and WTJU.

• To the players, families, and friends who made donations to BBBS through The Big Serve, thank you for your generous support.

• At BBBS, we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteer leadership, including planning for The Big Serve. Thank you to Alex Bryant, Marc Paulo Guzman, Cathy Konoza, Christina Mattaliano, Beth Morris, Angela Navarro, Maureen Novotne, Paul Summers, and Jered Wendte for crafting a wonderful event.

It is through the engagement and generosity of so many that Big Brothers Big Sisters is able to serve local youth in one-to-one mentoring relationships that support them as they achieve their greatest potential. Thank you for being part of the BBBS community!

PS - If you missed the CBS19 News feature with Mark Gad, check it out. Thank you for your great coverage of The Big Serve and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mark!