Tunnel to Towers: Past Presidents’ Pickleball Outing

Entry Details

The Past Presidents’ Pickleball Outing and associated $100,000 pledge to Tunnel to Towers has enhanced the New Jersey Chapter by combining philanthropy, member engagement, and leadership legacy into one initiative. By allowing Past Presidents to select the charitable recipient, the program strengthens intergenerational ties within the chapter and ensures that their contributions continue well beyond their term of service. The partnership with Tunnel to Towers reinforces the chapter’s commitment to meaningful community outreach, while the pickleball outing itself has created a fun, inclusive, and highly visible annual tradition that celebrates giving back. This idea has elevated the profile of our Foundation, broadened member participation, and deepened our impact within the community.

Implementation

The idea was implemented through a collaborative process involving the NJ Club Foundation Board, chapter leadership, Past Presidents, and key corporate sponsors. The inaugural event was held at Orange Lawn Tennis Club and combined a pickleball outing, cocktail reception, and formal check presentation to Tunnel to Towers. The general reaction of chapter members has been overwhelmingly positive. Members expressed pride in the chapter’s ability to make a significant pledge to such a respected national charity, while also honoring the leadership of Past Presidents in a tangible way. The event fostered camaraderie among managers, sponsors, and members, and has already gained momentum as an anticipated annual tradition.