Dinking for Dollars pickleball fundraiser April 18 to benefit Copley psychiatric services

The La Jolla Unit/Auxiliary Unit (beWELL La Jolla) of Rady Children’s Hospital will host the 4th Annual beWELL La Jolla “Dinking for Dollars” pickleball fundraiser Saturday, April 18 at Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with net proceeds going to the Copley Psychiatric Emergency Department (also listed as the Copley Psychiatric Center) at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

Organizers say the day will mix competitive and social play: a sanctioned pickleball tournament alongside round-robin play, open play sessions, beginner clinics, social matches and the Auxiliary Cup competition. The event listing also advertises drawings, a silent auction, and food and drink service at Barnes Tennis Center; registration mechanics on the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation event page include purchase-tickets functionality and calendar exports for Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 and Outlook Live.

Registration fees are set at $35 for the early-bird rate and $50 after March 1. The Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation event page encourages participants to register and purchase tickets through its event listing; questions may be directed to Mary Stolper at marymstolper@gmail.com. The foundation page also carries its fundraising tagline, “Since 1954, we've been in business of putting our hospitals out of business,” and invitation messaging aimed at community volunteers and players.

Organizers framed the fundraiser as timely given local mental-health concerns: “With youth suicide now the second leading cause of death among ages 10-24, and San Diego among the highest rates in California, this care is more urgent than ever,” according to a Rady Children’s Hospital news release tied to the announcement. The release added a direct appeal to the pickleball community: “Whether you’re playing or cheering, every participant helps support children’s mental health.” The foundation event page reinforces that message with its own appeal: “You can make a lifesaving difference for children in our community. Join us to ensure that every child and family has the compassionate care they deserve.”

Players, volunteers and spectators planning to attend should note the full address at Barnes Tennis Center and the 4:00-8:00 pm schedule, and act before the March 1 early-bird cutoff if they want the $35 rate. Additional event details, ticket purchases and calendar links are available on the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation event page for the La Jolla Auxiliary Unit’s “Dinking for Dollars.”