Tournament by Surprise Pickleball Association sees 400 players, nets record $24K
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Jim and Annie Kloss are a prime example of a Paradise Valley couple that lives a pickleball lifestyle.
They were married on a pickleball court, and they moved to a new home because it had space to build two pickleball courts. But that lifestyle was abruptly interrupted by Annie’s MS diagnosis in 2018. Taking the cause to heart, Jim responded by establishing a tournament to raise funds to support his wife, and the estimated 20,000 people affected by MS in Arizona.
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and body.
“There are now over 25 MS medications/treatments available or in development,” Mrs. Klaus said in a prepared statement. “But no two MS patients are alike. We may share symptoms, but to varying degrees, So far, I’m one of the lucky ones — my symptoms are manageable.”
Their sixth annual MS Charity tournament was held in Surprise during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, with Judith Coronell, Surprise Pickleball Association president at the helm.
This year’s field attracted a record number of players, volunteers, donors and sponsors.
“It was amazing to see a record crowd participate in 2024 and raise the most funds this event has generated in a single year,” said Chapter President Chris Marshall. “These funds will help us continue to provide more awareness, programs, services, education, healthcare engagement, advocacy and world-class research that is getting us closer to a cure.”
Mr. Kloss says he and his wife are grateful for all the support the pickleball community is providing to the fight against MS here in Arizona.
“The pickleball community opened their hearts and wallets to support MS,” he said. “Annie and I are grateful to AZ Ortho for taking the lead as our title sponsor, the Surprise Pickleball Association for overseeing the tournament, with gratitude to CRUSH Pickleball, Pros Riley and Lindsay Newman, the Arizona Diamondbacks, The Estate Watch & Jewelry Company and a host of companies who made this effort the largest DIY fundraiser in Arizona for MS this year.”
For Mrs. Kloss, friendship and love serves as a catalyst for healing.
“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love,” she said “I am honored to be surrounded by friends, family and organizations that lined up to support research and programming for individuals affected by MS here in Arizona.”
