Hello Friends of APB
As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. Together, we’ve achieved incredible milestones, making a tangible impact in the lives of with physical and cognitive challenges through the joy and therapeutic benefits of pickleball.
APB isn’t just about pickleball — it’s about setting an example. Together, we are making a powerful statement that inclusion can and should extend to all sports and activities, inspiring communities far beyond Upstate South Carolina.
Sandy Halkett
Head Coach & Founder
ADAPTIVE PICKLEBALL
The APB 2024 REVIEW is also available as a PDF download.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2024, Adaptive Pickleball hosted 90 Play Days and proudly served 1,155 individuals. We provided therapeutic and recreational opportunities that promote physical, social, and emotional well-being. Below is a breakdown of the people APB served throughout the year and highlights from an amazing 2024.
Special needs
675 Individuals
45% Men
35% Women
20% Youth
PHYSICAL NEEDS
358 Individuals
56% Men
38% Women
6% Youth
VETERANS
122 Individuals
72% Men
28% Women
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Improving Accessibility
Your generous financial support in 2024 allowed APB to purchase two new sports wheelchairs. APB’s inventory of 13 sport wheelchairs ensures players with physical challenges can play safely and fully participate in our programs. Our sport chairs were used 201 times in 2024, a 33% increase in wheelchair usage from 2023.
These specialized sport wheelchairs not only make pickleball more accessible, but also empowers players to move better on the court and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Expanding Our Reach
APB Spartanburg and APB Blue Ridge
APB launched programs in Spartanburg and the Blue Ridge areas of the Upstate. The Spartanburg chapter is led by Judy & Bruce Holt and Cindy Garst, they host play days indoors at St. James Methodist Church. The Blue Ridge chapter is led by Cindy Doherty, they host play days outdoors at South Wesleyan University.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Community Outreach
APB introduced pickleball to hundreds of athletes at the 2024 Special Olympics Spring Games (April 3) and the Greenville CAN Adaptive Sports Play Day (April 13). Both community events helped to spark attendance at our Special Needs and Physical Needs Play Days throughout 2024.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
APB “Art for All”
APB started “Art for All”, a painting program that fosters creativity, connection and collaboration among participants and volunteers. These painting sessions are funded by a generous anonymous donor and are hosted at Vino & Van Gogh in Greenville.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
PickleBALL Prom
Our biggest fundraiser of the year was the PickleBALL Prom on Sat. Aug 17. We wore our 80s best attire, danced, and played glow in the dark pickleball. It was a blast. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, silent auction items and donations, we raised nearly $17,000. The PickleBALL Prom was a radical and bodacious good time.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Christmas Parade
We walked. We rolled, We glowed in the cold. And, we spread some feel good love and Christmas cheer on Main St at the Poinsettia Christmas Parade. Our glowing parade float and group of 65 parade walkers made a massive impression on the 30,000+ spectators.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Santa Delivers Gifts
On December 18, Santa and his Elves visited APB and delivered paddles to APB players. This is a surprise we have been working on for a few months. This was a teamwork makes the dream work super-secret project. APB players couldn’t contain their excitement in unwrapping their gifts to find a paddle with their name on it. (APB coaches also couldn’t contain our excitement seeing all the smiles and laughter.)
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
APB Volunteer Coaches
APB hosted two Coaches Training sessions in 2024 and graduated 51 new coaches. This further strengthens our ability to expand the number of Pickleball Play Days by providing trained and confident volunteers.
GARY’S STORY
Finding Purpose
Gary P, a U.S. military veteran with a lower-limb amputation, credits Adaptive Pickleball with saving his life. After his injury, Gary found himself homebound, struggling with fear, depression, and anxiety. Isolated and unsure of his next steps, he felt as though life had come to a halt.
Then, Gary discovered Adaptive Pickleball. Our welcoming community and inclusive programs gave him a new sense of belonging and a reason to get up and get out. Through playing pickleball, Gary not only regained his confidence but also rediscovered joy, camaraderie, and purpose.
“Adaptive Pickleball didn’t just give me a sport—it gave me hope,” Gary shared this with us and the community. Today, Gary is a regular participant and an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
Your support makes stories like Gary’s possible. Together, we’re changing lives—one serve, dink, and rally at a time.
RICKY’S STORY
Finding Connection
Ricky suffered a massive ischemic stroke at age 17 due to a brain aneurysm. This caused permanent disability including right-sided weakness, loss of right-hand use, aphasia, and vision loss.
A few years ago, his family moved to the Greenville area, in part, because Ricky wanted to go somewhere where people did not know the pre-stroke Ricky. Prior to his stroke, Ricky was an athlete and extremely active.
In Greenville, Ricky and his family went looking for connection and a sense of belonging for him.
Through APB’s connection with Prisma’s Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, Ricky attended his first Pickleball Play Day. After that first play day, he was hooked. Ricky regularly attends our play days. He feels accepted here!
Ricky’s mom shared this with me, “The people of APB are just amazing. They make him feel welcome, which he has not felt in a long time. This organization has been absolutely life-changing for my son, and I cannot overstate that enough!”
Financial Overiew
Adaptive Pickleball received a total income of nearly $100,00 through the incredible generosity of supporters, fundraising activities and grants.
Your contributions, whether through grants, individual donations, or participation in our fundraisers, fuel every aspect of our mission, from expanding programs to purchasing adaptive equipment. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in changing lives through the power of pickleball!
The breakdown of how our 2024 funding was sourced is below.
HELP US HELP OTHERS
Join the APB Movement
In 2025, we hope to serve 1,500 individuals with diverse-abilities throughout the Upstate. Reaching this goal will require APB to raise $130,000, increase our community visibility, and train more volunteer coaches. Here are some ways you can join the APB movement:
VOLUNTEER AS A COACH
Share your time and skills by coaching our players. Whether you are a seasoned pickleball player or new to the game,
we will provide you with the training and tools to succeed.
Email Sandy to get started.
HELP US MAKE CONNECTIONS
Introduce us to potential fundraising opportunities, partners, or sponsors. Your network could open doors that bring our programs to new heights.
MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION
Every dollar counts. Your tax-deductible contribution directly supports our programs.
DONATE HERE.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Partner with Adaptive Pickleball as a sponsor to support our mission while gaining visibility in our community that values inclusivity.
Email Sandy to learn more.
We hope you are inspired to join the APB Movement. It’s your support that inspires us to dream bigger. Together, we can create a world where everyone, with every diverse-ability, experiences the joy of play, fellowship, and achievement.
With our deepest gratitude…
Sandy Halkett
Head Coach & Founder
ADAPTIVE PICKLEBALL
