Donate to Be Strong's mental health FUNdraiser and win packages from Diadem Sports

I first started playing pickleball in the depths of the pandemic. It was a really hard time for me, like for many others.

All the things I loved—yoga, going to the gym, seeing friends—were gone overnight. I'll be the first to admit my mental health took a big hit.

Pickleball became my biggest—and often only—outlet during that time. It was my one time to get exercise, have fun, enjoy the sunshine, and socialize responsibly. It scares me to think what that time would have been like without pickleball.

A big reason why I co-founded Pickleheads was because of that experience. I saw firsthand how pickleball can bring people together, support mental health, and fight loneliness. Even though the pandemic has largely run its course, many people still struggle with these issues.

When Ashleigh Cromer, CEO of Be Strong, reached out with a campaign to support mental health, I was really excited to take the call.

Ashleigh's FUNdraiser is raising $100,000 for mental health. Plus, every donation is matched 1:1, so you can double your impact. With pickleball's tie to mental health, it's only fitting that one of my favorite brands, Diadem, is offering prizes for donors:

If you're a parent, grandparent, or believer in the importance of mental health (like me), this campaign is a great opportunity for you to support something many people are struggling with.

See the full details below, and thank you for supporting this important cause!

This is Be Strong's first-ever $100,000 match gift FUNdraiser. They are kicking the year off strong by helping young people, families, and schools find hope, help, and healing.

Be Strong's mission is to "save and improve the lives of our youth using a peer-to-peer approach to strengthen mental, emotional, and relational health, build resilience, and prevent bullying."

Every donation you make (until the $100,000 target is reached) will be matched, so you're having double the impact.

Go to the Be Strong donation page and fill in the details on the right-hand side. Every donation you make gives you a chance to win prizes from pickleball manufacturers Diadem, who are making some of the most exciting paddles on the market right now.

You can dedicate your donation to someone you love, too.

Diadem has made a big splash recently with their cutting-edge paddles, like the awesome Diadem Edge 18k. They've generously provided the prizes for this FUNdraiser.

Depending on the amount of your donation, you'll be entered into the following prize competitions:

Playing sports is great for your mental health, and pickleball is no exception. Recognizing this fact, Diadem and Be Strong decided to come together to raise money and awareness for this important issue.

Here are some ways playing pickleball is good for your mental health (as well as physical):

Be Strong is a national charity dedicated to helping young people, families, and schools in all 50 states and half the counties. So, when you donate to Be Strong, you're strengthening your own community.

They help by:

Their focus is on improving youth mental health and resilience, combating bullying, and saving the lives of young people. You can read more on the Be Strong website.

This is not only a fun set of prizes, but a great chance to show how pickleball can give back to young people who need it the most. So, if you're someone like me who believes in improving mental health, donate now to support Be Strong's important work.