Sporting Change Pickleball Tourney Raises $90,000 for Mental Health
By Brenden Nickels, Senior Office Assistant
On October 30th, 2025 the Kraus-Anderson Community Foundation hosted its second annual Sporting Change pickleball tournament at the Pure Pickleball Club in Plymouth, benefitting the LIVIN Foundation and PrairieCare Fund in support of their mental health work in our communities. In total, 260 people attended, with 150 playing. Net proceeds to the beneficiaries totaled $90,000!
The Tournament
The tournament was planned by two groups of Kraus-Anderson employees, the Kraus-Anderson Community Foundation Sponsorship Committee and the KACF Events Committee. The sponsorship committee’s relationships with its vendors and partners were integral in exceeding our fundraising expectations.
The event committee went to all ends necessary to plan Sporting Change 2025, and members volunteered at the event to bring it to life. This was the first year of the Sporting Change silent auction, and 28 items were sold. All in all, gross proceeds equaled $123,000 to support mental health in our communities.
Many thanks to everyone involved in the tournament, whether as a volunteer or as a sponsor/player. You are a big part of this event’s success.
The Committees
The KACF sponsorship committee members include: Al Gerhardt, Bob Cunningham, Camille Helou, Cindy MacDonald, Jamie Engelsma, Ken Vinje, Pat Mulcahey, Rich Jacobson, Bob Janssen, Aaron Zabel, Audie Miller, Chad Rempe, Eric Olson, Eric Quam, George Trujillo, Jake Boerboon, Jason Rentmeester, John Huenink, Kris Grabianowski, Mike Stark, Paul Carlsted, Trevor Thompson, Tony Peleska, Laurie Trousil, Rocky Bullis, David Kray
Event committee members include: Ashley Miller, Brenden Nickels, Lindsay Stafford, Max Stockbridge, Rhonda Karow, Riley Zyduck, Tonya Kostick, Jenna Mead, Ashely Meyer, Josh Li, Katy Deluney, Kaitlin McCoskey, Tiffany Xiong – plus volunteers Jen Parent, Deb Mueller, Amber Emly, Tracey Martin, Laurie Trousil, Jackie Holm, Jane Vasterling, Brad LeBlanc, Jackson Ferris, Lisa Sherman
The Sponsors
Elite Sponsor: Furia
Gold Sponsors: Bridgewater Bank, Horwitz, Hunt Electric, Kraus-Anderson, The Mandinec Group Landscaping, MMC, Olympic Companies, Veit, Wells
Silver Sponsors: APi Group Inc., Braun Intertec, Commercial Drywall, Frattalone Companies, Harris Companies, Northland Concrete & Masonry Company, Ramsey Companies, Red Cedar Steel, Sonus Interiors, St. Paul Linoleum & Carpet Co., US Bank, Viking Automatic Sprinkler
Bronze Sponsors: Associated Mechanical Contractors, ArchKey/Parsons Electric, Atomic Sheetmetal, Carciofini Company, Collins Electrical Construction Company, Concrete Arts & Terrazzo, Contract Hardware, Custom Drywall, Horizon Roofing, Insight Restoration, J. Benson Construction, Media Electric, Mulcahy Nickolaus, O’Keefe Millwork, Pinnacle Wall Systems, Precision Floors, Prescription Landscape, Rachel Foundation, Sun Control of Minnesota, Victaulic, W.L. Hall Company
The Beneficiaries
Proceeds of the event went to two organizations: the LIVIN Foundation and PrairieCare Fund.
The LIVIN Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to prevent suicide by creating quality connections through everyday conversations about mental health through programs and partnerships.
“On behalf of our whole team, we wanted to send you a quick note of gratitude,” said Paul Thomas “PT”, founder of the LIVIN Foundation. “Putting together an event like this is not an easy task and you handle it with so much class and grace and clearly put so much love into it–and it shows!
“It’s also very clear the whole team is totally bought in, not only for this cause, but to give back to the community in general… We are grateful to be a beneficiary of the event but even more so grateful to be your partner on this journey of making the world a better place.”
PrairieCare offers treatment services to kids and adults who may be experiencing mental health issues.
“I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Kraus-Anderson for inviting us to be a benefactor at the Sporting Change fundraiser,” said Michael Moody, PrairieCare’s Marketing and Outreach Manager. “We were so impressed with the event-the incredible turnout, the thoughtful program, and the clear impact it will have on the community. We are truly honored to have been a part of it and look forward to continuing our partnership.”
CATEGORY: Community Involvement