When the call came from Family Promise of Beaufort County to help bring holiday joy to several local families, Patti Tarnowicz’s pickleball group didn’t miss a beat. With the ball squarely in their court, they delivered an outpouring of generosity that truly hit it out of the park.

Family Promise provides temporary housing for families experiencing homelessness in Beaufort County. Its residence, known as Freedom House, can now accommodate up to seven families at a time, offering parents and children a safe, stable place to regroup and rebuild for up to two months. The nonprofit, which receives a yearly grant through the Colleton River Charitable Fund, reached out in December for additional help to make the holidays brighter for the children of five families.

Patti was asked if her pickleball group might be willing to help — and the response was immediate. Nearly thirty women volunteered to participate. Wish lists in hand, the group went shopping with purpose. Dolls, games, books, cozy pajamas, and carefully chosen surprises filled carts. They also included gifts for several mothers and grandmothers in the families. Every item was wrapped and delivered together—more than $2,000 worth of holiday joy for families staying at Freedom House.

“Several years ago, when pickleball was just starting to gain momentum, I created a small group so we could fill one court with four players,” Patti Tarnowicz recalls. “Before long, that little group grew into an email list of more than 50 women of all skill levels. We all came together because we love pickleball, but what has grown beyond the court is friendship — and a shared commitment to our community.”

“When I learned about the incredible work Family Promise does to help families experience the joy of Christmas, I knew I could count on this group to be part of it.”

“So on this day, we gathered for a photo — paddles in hand, surrounded by all the gifts that had been collected. There were smiles everywhere, knowing that these presents would bring happiness to children and their families during the holidays.”

“Family Promise of Beaufort County is forever grateful for Colleton River’s donation of Christmas gifts for our shelter families. Our parents were thankful for their gifts, but they were more thankful for Colleton River providing gifts for their children,” says Valerie Blount, Family Promise’s Project Manager. “They send a BIG THANK YOU.”

And in true pickleball fashion, there was no interest in keeping score. When asked about reimbursement, the answer was immediate: absolutely not. For this group of

players, the real victory happened far beyond the court.