In mid October, members of the Sequim Picklers pickleball club (SPC) came together to demonstrate the shared bonds, volunteerism, and care that make the Picklers such a special group.
On Oct. 19, dozens of folks gathered at the courts in Carrie Blake Community Park for Bo Pickleball Day, a fundraiser organized by Rodney Diseker, Jennifer Cox and Tiffaney Isaacson to help support the Bo family of Sequim as they manage during the weeks-long Seattle hospital treatment of younger daughter Ellie Bo.
Vebol and Shauna Bo, parents to Laina (11), Liem (8) and Ellie (5) are skilled pickleballers — with Laina and Liem following in their footsteps — and the much-loved family is often at the courts together.
Ellie was born with two holes in her heart necessitating a valve replacement and weeks of treatment at Seattle Childrens’ Hospital as a newborn. She also has severe scoliosis and has spent much of her young life in an upper body cast. Her spinal condition has started to affect her lung capacity, and she is now in Seattle undergoing a second course of treatment where a halo is screwed to her head with weights attached in order to put tension on her spine.
She was scheduled recently for back surgery during which rods will be inserted to strengthen the spine. Despite these challenges, Ellie is always smiling, making friends with everyone who crosses her path. Her fierce spirit and positive attitude is truly inspiring, as is her video game talent.
Activities at the event included a barbeque, fun group pickleball games, and a raffle (coordinated by Sharman Owens) with more than 60 donations. Ellie’s father Vebol was visibly touched by the outpouring of support for his family.
As he said in a recent Facebook post, “Pickleball has changed our [family’s] lives for the better, and the community we have is hands down an incredible sight to see.”
So far more, than $7,000 have been raised by SPC to help the Bo family.
Key volunteers at the event also included members of the newly formed SPC Care Team. This team is comprised of volunteers willing to help members who have, for example, been injured on the courts and who may not have a support team at home.
The Care Team will provide prepared meals, assist in grocery shopping, and/or provide transportation to medical appointments for a two-week period after the injury is sustained.
SPC community volunteering continued the following day as 13 members spent several hours collecting 22 bags of trash from a stretch of Highway 101. This quarterly activity is organized by SPC member Pam Woodruff.
Other ways SPC works with the greater community include holding free introductory pickleball lessons during the spring and summer. It truly is a group that cares for, and is invested in, well-being on every level.
