Greenwood pickleball tourney to raise money for Alzheimer’s Association

His parents were slipping away, and nothing could stop it.

Dr. David Mandelbaum could only watch as both his mother and father succumbed to dementia. As their caregiver, he felt powerless to help them throughout their gradual decline.

“It left a lasting impact on me, going through their end of life journey as their oldest child,” said Mandelbaum, a physician with a specialty in palliative and hospice medicine.

His parents were foremost in his mind and in his heart when Mandelbaum created the Making Memories Classic. The Greenwood-based pickleball tournament has been held for the past two years, drawing hundreds of pickleball fans and raising more than $82,000

This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet when it takes place from Aug. 16 to 18 at the newly built pickleball courts at Freedom Park.

Funds from the tournament will not only lead to breakthroughs in treatment, but to help local families dealing with dementia right now.

“Not only do we as an organization fund research for tests for early detection and research for new medications, but I like the fact that our organization keeps some of that money locally for ‘caregivers support.’ That touches my heart, because I was the caregiver for my parents, and I know how difficult it is, physically and emotionally, to go through being a caregiver for someone with dementia.”

After his parents’ deaths, Mandelbaum was motivated to do more to highlight Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. He became active with the Greater Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, serving on its board of directors, and helping raise awareness and funding about the disease.

“It was a way to honor and memorialize my parents, and to assist in the fight against this terrible disease that both of them died from,” he said.

Serving on the board, Mandelbaum became familiar with the different ways people raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The organization hosts fundraising walks, elaborate galas and other events that are ubiquitous among nonprofit groups.

But one of the most intriguing initiatives the Alzheimer’s Association created was called the Longest Day. The idea was to create a fundraiser on the longest day of the year — the summer solstice. “Shine a light on the darkness of dementia” is the event’s slogan.

“It’s our second-larges fundraising campaign we have, outside of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Laura Forbes, communications director for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter. “It’s really a way that people can participate in fundraising in whatever way they choose —kind of a do-it-yourself fundraiser.”

Eventually, the event evolved to allow it to be held throughout the year.

“The concept was still the same: How do people take a passion or an interest or a hobby, and creatively turn it into a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association?” Mandelbaum said. “That’s what caught my attention. Think of something you love and have interest in, and make a fundraiser.”

At the same time, pickleball was making an entrance into Mandelbaum’s life. His wife, Anna, had become a fan of the rapidly growing sport. Coming home from playing games at Craig Park in Greenwood, she would rave about the friends she had made and the fun she was having.

Mandelbaum quickly saw a link between pickleball and his work with the Alzheimer’s Association. Research has indicated that remaining physically active and socially active are two important factors in either delaying or preventing the onset of dementia.

According to a study published on Aug. 10, 2022, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people who engaged in physical activity had a 17% lower risk of dementia. People who did social activities had a 7% lower risk.

Pickleball fits both categories.

“It’s a very social game, and yet, it represents physical activity,” Mandelbaum said. “What a natural way to create a fundraiser in support of the Alzheimer’s Association?”

The first Making Memories Classic was held in 2022, drawing 231 players and generating nearly $36,000. Making Memories surpassed that in 2023, with 255 people signed up raising more than $46,600.

Mandelbaum credits the enthusiastic pickleball community in Johnson County, as well as the connection most people have to the cause, with its success.

“It is so gratifying to see how much it’s caught on locally. It proves that pickleball can really be a grassroots effort to support something like this, because people who love pickleball play it and talk it up themselves,” he said.

This year’s tournament will start on Aug. 16 with a Friday night kick-off event with food, music and open play on the new Freedom Park courts. A hospitality tent with free water, fruit and snacks is planned for participants, with vendors selling apparel and other items, a raffle with unique prize packages and food trucks serving a variety of food and treats throughout the three-day event.

Teams will compete in a round-robin format leading to a single-elimination medal round. Brackets will be divided by age, though some brackets may be combined depending on the number of registrants.

“Alzheimer’s and dementia take so much from people, and this gives people a way to fight back against the disease,” Forbes said. “Dr. Mandelbaum has done just a tremendous job of raising funds since he started this tournament. It also raises awareness, not just of the disease, but of the resources that are available.”

The main goal is to have fun and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, Mandelbaum said. But he also hopes the experience inspires others to think about their passions and how they can help a greater cause.

“I’d love to see more people raising funds through this creativity that is the Longest Day.

IF YOU GO

Making Memories Classic

What: A fundraising pickleball tournament in support of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana. The tournament will be a round-robin format leading to a single elimination medal round. Brackets will be divided by age, however, some brackets may be combined depending on the number of registrants.

When: Aug. 16-18

Where: Freedom Park, 850 W. Stop 18 Road, Greenwood

Cost: $50

How to register: Go to pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/making-memories-classic-2024