Ping-Pong Tourney Serves Up Help for Homeless
Dallas Stamper had his reservations when Ken Lees approached him about hosting a Ping-Pong tournament to benefit Stamper’s nonprofit organization, People In Need Ministries, for the homeless.
“I thought, ‘This is crazy,’ ” Stamper said. “How can a Ping-Pong tournament help the homeless?”
Still, he decided to team up with Lees to host the first Ping-Pong for Poverty Charity Tournament last year.
And after a wildly successful first edition, an expanded version of the tournament returns to Corporate Landing Middle School for a two-day event Friday and Saturday.
Last year’s tournament drew more than 100 table tennis players to raise $10,000 for People In Need. Organizers of this year’s event hope to draw 200 players, with more than three times the fundraising power.
“Our partnership with the city through Parks and Recreation was instrumental, both to help promote the event at its centers, but in providing the venue as well,” Lees said.
“Also, The Sports Authority donated the tables, which is huge.”
Lees’ idea came at an ideal time for Stamper, who was dealing with People In Need’s $10,000 shortfall for 2008.
“Without the tournament, I’ve having to decided which services I’m going to have to take away from homeless people,” said Stamper, who left his career at General Electric in 2006 to pursue People In Need full time.
“There are people who complain and cry about homelessness, but it’s people like Ken that do something about it that are really making a difference.”
Ping-Pong has been a part of Lees’ life since early childhood, when he would tag along with his father as he competed in tournaments along the East Coast.
While Lees never caught the competitive bug, he remained a recreational player. But casual games between family and friends weren’t fulfilling enough, said Lees, who decided to use his favorite game to aid a charity.
Through networking with members of his church, Lees connected with Stamper, and Ping-Pong for Poverty was born.
“I just wanted this to be something truly unique,” said Lees, a Lagomar resident. “I knew this could really become something special, but I had no idea what to expect.”
The family-oriented event begins 6 p.m. Friday with a celebrity kick off fundraiser at Corporate Landing Middle.
Headlining the event will be Scott “Mr. Ping-Pong” Preiss, one of the sport’s greatest players, an Olympic coach and a longtime entertainer.
He, along with several professional players, will host demonstrations and clinics throughout the two-day event.
Despite the highly skilled celebrities, Lees said the tournament is designed for players of all ages and skill levels.
The main objective is for participants to have fun and raise funds for People In Need, which serves homeless people in Virginia Beach.
Several homeless people had a hand in organizing the tournament, as they helped Stamper assemble the tournament’s 20 Ping-Pong tables, which will be auctioned off at Friday’s kickoff.
John Streit, vb.beaconsports@yahoo.com
Published on HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com (http://hamptonroads.com)
