Signed paddle from PPA champion Andrei Daescu believed to set new world charity auction record at $7,900, as tournament community unites around ensuring all kids have someone in their court.
The 2nd Annual “Pickle for a Purpose” tournament wrapped up in Aspen on July 21st with a resounding show of community support, raising $180,000 to benefit youth in foster care. Presented in partnership with Aspen Pickleball, the event brought celebrated pickleball pros together with avid players, local business leaders, families, and volunteers — collectively dubbed “Team Aspen” — in support of three of the nation’s leading child welfare organizations: Florida’s Children First (FCF), National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), and the Youth Law Center (YLC).
Conceived by Aspen regular and nationally acclaimed children’s advocate Howard Talenfeld, the tournament was run by Aspen Pickleball, who brought together top competitive players from clubs across the region, including the Aspen Meadow Club and the Maroon Creek Club, for a day of high-level play in service of a shared cause. Volunteers turned out in force throughout the day, repeatedly asking organizers, “What can we do?” as they rallied for the kids the tournament was created to support.
In addition to intense play and the tournament trophy presentations, one of the day’s highlights came during the live charity auction, where a pickleball paddle signed by top 4 PPA player and 2025 Major League Pickleball champion and MVP Andrei Daescu sold for $7,900 — a price organizers believe sets a new world record for a signed pickleball paddle sold at a live charity auction, surpassing the previous record of $7,888.
Beyond the funds raised and the record set at the auction block, organizers say the day’s real achievement was the unity it built around a single cause: ensuring children in foster care have nationwide access to the support, benefits, and quality legal representation statewide and nationwide to stay safe and thrive. Attendees, players, sponsors, and advocacy leaders rallied in support of the three nonprofits to ensure they have the resources they need to protect the nation’s most vulnerable children.
“What we saw in Aspen was Team Aspen at its best — pros, sponsors, volunteers, and neighbors all asking the same question: what can we do? That energy is exactly what it will take to guarantee every child in foster care has a caring, qualified champion by their side, fighting for them, and paving their path to a successful future, ” said Howard Talenfeld, founder of FCF and board member of YLC, who co-founded the tournament with his wife, Julie, Founder and CEO of BoardroomPR.
“Raising $180,000 and setting a world record for our cause shows just how committed this community is to protecting children everywhere and equipping them for lifelong success. Every dollar raised strengthens our ability to fight for their futures,” added Geori Seldine, FCF’s Executive Director.
“Everyone has a role in the pursuit of children’s justice,” said Kim Dvorchak, CEO of the National Association of Counsel for Children, based in Denver, Colorado. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Aspen Community to ensure every child has a champion in court.”
Several individuals formerly in foster care, now working with FCF, YLC, or NACC, joined the day’s festivities on and off the court, adding a personal dimension to the tournament’s mission. Organizers say fundraising remains open as they work toward reaching a $200,000 goal.
“Pickle for a Purpose” was sponsored in part by Justice for Kids, Kelley Kronenberg, Slatestone Wealth, the City of Aspen, and Aspen Pickleball, with tournament sponsor Dolman Law.
To donate or learn more, please visit: https://floridaschildrenfirst.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate
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ABOUT FLORIDA’S CHILDREN FIRST (FCF) — Florida’s Children First (floridaschildrenfirst.org) is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth in foster care. It focuses on making big systemic changes that improve the system for thousands of youth in care today and in the future. FCF created the youth-led Florida Youth SHINE group to provide foster youth the support they need to reach their full potential as advocates for their own needs.
ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNSEL FOR CHILDREN (NACC) — The National Association of Counsel for Children (naccchildlaw.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing justice for children and families through high-quality legal representation and policy advocacy. For nearly 50 years, NACC has worked to ensure that children involved in foster care court proceedings have a strong voice, skilled advocacy, and meaningful access to justice. Through attorney certification, training, policy advocacy, and the Counsel for Kids Campaign, NACC is helping build a future where every child has a champion in their corner, and every child’s rights are protected.
ABOUT YOUTH LAW CENTER (YLC) — The Youth Law Center (ylc.org) is a national public interest law firm and nonprofit founded in 1978 that advocates for youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Their mission is to end the criminalization and institutionalization of children by ensuring fair legal representation, enforcing children’s rights, and promoting community-based care.
