Table Tennis Serves Up Food for the Homeless
PingPong for Poverty tournament raises $40,000 for homeless in Virginia Beach
by Dean Johnson
In his opening remarks on the Friday night prior to the Ping Pong for Poverty tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia, PIN (People in Need) Executive Diretor Dallas Stamper said: “If I wasn’t here tonight I would probably be in my office in tears trying to decide which services to the homeless would have to be cut. Instead, I’m here with nearly 200 table tennis players who are helping make possible an evet which promises to raise nearly $40,000 for homeless people in Virginia Beach.” Stamper, who left his career at General Electric in 2006, has now taken on the mission of People in Need full time.
Stamper had his reservations when his friend, Ken Leeds, approached him about hosting a Ping-Pong tournament to benefit his non-profit organization. “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 in 2009.
After a wildly successful first edition, an expanded version of the tournament returned to Corporate Landing Middle School in Virginia Beach for a two-day event.
Las year’s tournament, which drew more than 100 players at a one-day event raised $15,000 for People in Need. This year’s event drew nearly 200 players, with nearly 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, and in providing the venue as well,” Lees said. “Also, Sports Authority donated 19 table, for which we were very grateful.” In additon to Sports Authority, 25 other sponsors supported the event.
Several homeless peopl had a hand in organizing the tournament, as they helped Dallas Stamper assemble the tournament’s 19 tables, which were auctioned off at Friday’s kickoff.
Ping-Pong has been a part of Ken Lees’ life since early childhood, when he would tag along with is dad, Larry, as he competed in tournaments along the East Coast. While Ken 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 the 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. “I knew this could really become something special, but I had no idea what to expect when the idea of a ping pong tournament to raise money for charity first dawned on me.”
The 2010 tournament was a family-oriented event which began on Friday with acelebrity kickoff funraiser. Headlining the kickoff was Scott “Mr. Ping-Pong” Preiss, one of the sport’s great exhibition players, and U.S. National Table Tennis Coach and Trainer/Entertainer. Scott and his cson, Austin, dazzled the crowded hall with a level of table tennis and trick shots that most in the audience had never witnessed.
Sott and Austin, along with severl local USATT players hosted demonstrations and clinics throughout the two-day event. Despite the participation of some highly skilled players, Lees said the tournament was designed for players of all ages and skill levels. The main objective was for participants to have fun and raise funds for People in Need. The entry fee was a modest $15, for which each participant received a paddle, a T-shirt and would play at least 5 matches. Scott also served as auctioneer and succeeded in raising over $6,000 including $1,825 for a Newgy 2050 Robot for which Gary Shine was the successful bidder. One of the tables auctioned off was a Stige Optima worth $1,500.
PIN has been serving the homeless of Virginia Beach since June of 2002 when they served 12 sandwiches to 5 homeless people. PIN has grown over the 8 years not only in the number of people they serve, but also in the quantity and quality of services they provide. In addition to providing food, services offered by PIN include: clothing, hygiene supplies, living necessites, medical care, and shelter.
Ken Lees and Dallas Stamper now have a vision for expanding on the 2010 Model by organizing regionals and city table tennis tournaments leading to a National tournament in Virginia Beach – making the sport of table tennis the vehicle to serve the homeless and raising money to launch PIN in similary cities hosting regional tournamen
