Heroes Pickleball Tournament to benefit Stand Up Placer

The Auburn Pickleball Club is teaming up with Stand Up Placer for the third annual Heroes Pickleball Tournament. Sunday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., local first responders and public services will compete in the tournament to benefit Stand Up Placer during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including several teams from CAL FIRE, a team from the Auburn Fire Department, probation officers and park services. The event is offering food and a raffle for attendees, and tournament winners will be awarded commemorative hats. Stand Up Placer supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Serving survivors in the local community, it has a variety of support and shelter programs that can be found on their website at standupplacer.org. Stand Up Placer and the Auburn Pickleball Club are involved through mutual members. The idea came to Barbara Fralick when her step-daughter began working at Stand Up Placer. "Everyone enthusiastically agreed and jumped in to start the Heroes Pickleball Tournament," said Fralick, Auburn Pickleball Club chairman. The club has been meeting since the explosion of pickleball popularity a few years ago. Funds from the club have gone to maintaining courts around Auburn. The club meets for monthly events, but members play on their courts year round. The courts are open to others and can be found at recreation areas around Auburn. All proceeds from the tournament will go to Stand Up Placer. Participation is $65 per person or $130 per team. Advanced slots are taken up, but intermediate slots are open. Fees can be paid through direct donation to Stand Up Placer. Each team will receive a T-shirt. The tournament will take place at the Regional Reaction Courts at 3770 Richardson Drive. Donate directly at https://givebutter.com/JKVHTx. Attendance and food will be free. Raffle prizes are from Old Town Pizza, Ikeda's, Awful Annie's and the Auburn Pickleball Club.