The Second Annual Helping Heroes Tournament will fund support for first responders through Project Ebenezer. Images provided by Project Ebenezer.

By Elizabeth Hershberger
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — The second annual Helping Heroes Pickleball Tournament will be held Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 to benefit Project Ebenezer at Winona Lake Limitless Park, 1307 Park Ave, Winona Lake.

You can play pickleball and support first responders in this two day tournament!

Last year 133 players made up 83 teams in the tournament and over 500 people attended. With 27 participants already registered so far, you won’t want to wait too long to secure your spot.

If you think you are too young or too old, you are not! There is no age restriction for players. Participants, regardless of age, will register and play against others in their skill level division.

Saturday, July 19 will be the Men’s and Women’s Doubles playoffs. Sunday, July 20 will be the Mixed Doubles playoffs. If you sign up for Men’s or Women’s Doubles on Saturday then you can play mixed doubles on Sunday at no additional cost.

Players will have games on eight open courts and play a minimum of four games.

This pickleball skill level chart will help you choose your division in the tournament.

Misting tents and shaded areas will be provided for the length of the tournament. Food will be available for purchase onsite during lunch time at Fellowship Missions “It’s All Good” food truck and a Kona Ice truck.

A K-9 demonstration, art activities, a fire department obstacle course, access to a splash pad and a beach area are sure to be fun for families and children.

The tournament will also host a raffle. There are a wide variety of items in this year’s raffle. Tickets can be purchased on-site throughout the weekend with the drawing taking place Sunday evening. You do not need to be present to win.

Participants and the general public will be able to check out first responder vehicles and take photos with them.

These activities will be available on both Saturday and Sunday. There will also be open access to park trails and an open pavilion.

Registration is open through Wednesday, July 16 and costs $50 per person. The early bird price of $45 is good through Saturday, May 17.

Each participant who registers before Saturday, June 21 receives a free T-shirt and swag bag with free water, snacks and a raffle ticket!

Register at pickleballtournaments.com.

If someone does not want to play but still wants to join in the fun, there are plenty of ways to support and be involved! Those attending can participate in the raffle, have breakfast, lunch, or dinner from the food truck, grab a Kona Ice or come enjoy Project Ebenezer’s playlist of music while participating in the other events or watching the competition on the pickleball courts. Families out enjoying the park can also come over and participate in the activities.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the weekend for those wanting to get more hands on, no pickleball knowledge necessary!

Those interested in volunteering can email [email protected] and one of the team members organizing volunteers will be in contact with them.

Purchase shirts or hats from the merchandise table and follow Project Ebenezer on social media to help spread the word.

Project Ebenezer is still looking for business sponsors for the tournament and accepting raffle item donations and private monetary donations as well.

At the “citizens assist” level, individuals providing a donation of $50 or more will be honored by having your name displayed on the first responder supporter banner. At the Warning “Silver” level, by donating $500 dollars the business name will be announced several times throughout the weekend and the company logo will go on the tournament T-shirt.

A donation of $750 at the Misdemeanor “Gold” level, businesses will have a lawn sing promoting the business on the tournament champions’ photo backdrop, the business name announced several times throughout the weekend, the company logo on the tournament T-shirt and a special discounted registration price for one team entry.

A donation of $1,000 at the Felony “Platinum” level will give the business a court named after the business for the tournament and the company displayed on a court banner. The business name will be announced each time a team plays on the business court and there will be a lawn sign promoting the business on the tournament champions’ photo backdrop. The company logo will be on the tournament T-shirt in a preferred location and there will be a special discounted registration price for one team entry.

A full schedule of events for Saturday and Sunday along with some of the raffle items will be displayed at projectebenezer.com and on the Facebook Page: Project Ebenezer in July! Like and follow Project Ebenezer to make sure you don’t miss this information.

Support For First Responders

All proceeds support Project Ebenezer by going to directly support the mental health and wellness of Kosciusko County’s police, fire, dispatch and jailers.

Project Ebenezer provides access to mental health resources to ensure no first responder has to struggle alone.

First Responders refers to all retired, full-time, part-time or volunteer law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMS and dispatchers. Project Ebenezer provides a confidential space for first responders to come forward and ask for some help working through mental health effects from being exposed to traumatic events repeatedly.

Through Project Ebenezer, the first responder needing assistance is connected with professionals in and around the community who are trained to help the responder move from a place of post traumatic stress to post traumatic growth. Once connected to the proper professional, Project Ebenezer will then help cover the financial cost associated with receiving that service. That might be the cost of the copay for the appointment or mental health medications.

First responders put their lives and mental health on the line day in and day out for the community. It is Project Ebenezer’s goal to be a stone of help for first responders and to combat the staggering number of first responders that are struggling silently and taking their own lives.

If you have questions, email [email protected].

The funds raised from the 2024 Helping Heroes tournament allowed Project Ebenezer to directly assist 14 Kosciusko County First Responders with mental health services and speak to over 420 first responders and community members to educate them on post traumatic stress and resources they can access.

Project Ebenezer also used funds to support county wide Peer-to-Peer programs. Members of the Peer Support teams were able to use hands-on resources when conducting debriefs and diffusions with first responders after they responded to exceptionally traumatic events.

This year’s proceeds will be used to continue to support first responders in the same way as well as to fund a new initiative to provide first responders with opportunities to attend outdoor weekend retreats where they can connect with nature and each other as they deepen friendships, receive teaching and training and experience the power of community and the great outdoors.

A True Stone of Help

Project Ebenezer has received an overwhelming amount of support from the first responder community.

Every first responder has a call that has stuck with them — a call they can tell you the finest details about as if it just occurred. They have all experienced trauma to some level and most people in this profession have observed the negative impacts the exposure to traumatic events has had on the mental health of coworkers and friends.

The saying in law enforcement goes “I’ve got your six,” but this gives the first responders a tangible way to know they are helping their brothers and sisters. The first responder community has really rallied around Project Ebenezer. They are always the first ones to volunteer to help at events. You will see many of them giving up their weekend and some even using benefit time to serve at the Pickleball Tournament.

A handful of first responders serve as volunteers for Project Ebenezer in whatever capacity is needed throughout the year. They have seen, heard or experienced walking through post traumatic stress and they know the need that exists here in Kosciusko County for first responders to have a safe place to turn when they are not okay and need a little help.

If you have questions about Project Ebenezer or the Helping Heroes Pickleball tournament, email [email protected].