Ping pong fundraiser ready to serve up a winner March 1
Editor's note: the date for the annual Charm Ping Pong Tournament was listed incorrectly in the Feb. 22 print edition. This story has been changed to reflect the new date.
Ready … set … serve.
On Saturday, March 1, the Oasis Center near Charm will be filled with the sounds of pinging and ponging during the annual Charm Ping Pong Tournament that has developed a reputation of bringing some fantastic table tennis competitors who can play at a very high level.
“These players are terrific talents who can really play,” said event coordinator Marlin Yoder. “About 3 o’clock or so everyone should come and watch because at that point the talent level is really amazing.”
The tournament enters its ninth year, with last year’s turnout boasting a whopping 360 competitors crowded into the Oasis Center. The suggested entry donation to compete is $10. Once the action starts at 8:30 a.m. the center is filled with plenty of ping pong noise and action as players in five different divisions square off.
The morning begins with players signing up prior to 8 a.m. With no preregistration available, players are asked to be there no later than 8 a.m. so they can create the brackets for the double elimination tournament that has players dueling in best of 3 formats to 15 points per game.
The divisions include 10-U, 14-U, 15-29 (open), 30-over and a lady’s division.
“It’s all great play,” said Duane Hochstetler, who created the event. “Even those little 10-U players can barely see over the table but they really get after it.”
While the play is the fun, intertwined with the action is the ultimate goal of raising money for a local family struggling with medical bills.
This year’s recipient will be the David Raber family. Raber’s wife is suffering from Lyme’s Disease, and the family is facing a growing number of bills.
Hochstetler, who owns Pine Pallet where the tournament began years ago, said they created this event with an eye on helping others, and because three’s such a huge interest in this area for ping pong, they felt it would be an ideal way to get people together for a good cause.
What better way than through ping pong, a sport that has captured the fancy of many in the community. Yoder said there are several regular weekly gatherings of table tennis enthusiasts numbering around 160 people who compete weekly. Many of those players will be on hand for this tournament, challenging one another while at the same time pulling for one another.
Last year the tournament raised upward of $25,000. This year, the Rabers’ church will provide a breakfast menu featuring food like breakfast sandwiches, sausage, eggs, and pancakes, as well as a lunch menu of burgers, hot dogs, chicken, baked goods and much more.
The all-day affair is worth watching, whether someone plays or not.
“Not only do we have that many competitors, but we also have a number of fans who simply come to watch,” Yoder said.
A usual there will be a raffle filled with some valuable prizes, including a one-week Florida vacation package March 7-14, including two round-trip bus tickets and a stay at a two-bedroom house with a pool; a Magicycle e-bike with full suspension; Pellet grill; $150 Charm Fabric gift card; four large pizzas once a month for five months; and a Pure Rise softball bat.
“Our community provided some incredible prizes,” Yoder said. “Knowing what this event means to our ping pong community as well as to the family is what keeps us motivated.”
Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100 and patrons need not be present to win. Tickets for the raffle may be purchased the day of the event up until the drawing at 1 p.m. If anyone would like to purchase raffle tickets prior to the event, they can find them at Pine Pallets or at participating Charm merchant stores. People may also call to purchase tickets at 330-893-2614 or Yoder at 330-600-8941.
Another way people can aid the benefit tournament is by donating toward the $850 fee to rent the Oasis Center. Anyone wishing to help in that manner can call Yoder. All checks for the event should be written out to Charm Share-n-Care with “David Raber” in the memo line.
The Oasis Center is located at 3460 Township Road 159 near Charm. Should anyone not be able to make the tournament but would like to donate to the fund, they may do so by sending their donations to Pine Pallet at 3869 Township Road 369, Millersburg OH 44654.