NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney led the 2nd Pickle for a Purpose charity event on May 13 at Rally Pickleball in Charlotte, North Carolina. The pickleball event raised money and awareness for brain health, supporting causes like Alzheimer’s disease and concussion recovery through the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation.
Blaney was joined by fellow NASCAR drivers, celebrities, and professional pickleball players. The event mixed fun with serious fundraising and featured a live-streamed pickleball tournament. Blaney’s team, Concord PB, won the final match with an 11-2 victory over Stacking Pickles, led by former NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie.
A Cause Close to Ryan Blaney’s Heart
The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation was started in 2018 to honor Ryan Blaney’s grandfather, who battled Alzheimer’s disease. Blaney spoke emotionally at the event about how personal experiences shaped the mission of the foundation.
“It’s been since 2018 we’ve had this foundation and we you know we really work with you and we kind of started with the Alzheimer’s Association my grandfather had it and we wanted to we had a a personal connection with that and we wanted to you know go to a cause and now we now we work with UPMC.” – (Blaney)
“You know organizations out there that have really been amazing to work with and uh like I said something that we deal with or have a personal tie to that we can relate to. So it’s been a lot of fun over the last you know over a handful of years and its events like this that really kind of bring people together and raise some great money for some really good causes.” – (Blaney)
Blaney’s Big Win on the Court
While the event focused on giving back, the pickleball tournament drew big attention. Ryan Blaney’s team Concord PB took on Corey LaJoie’s team Stacking Pickles in a high-energy final.
Despite LaJoie’s strong effort, Concord PB won 11-2. The match showcased both competition and friendship.
“I’ve never seen some of the things in my entire life that I saw in that game, and I am glad that the Pickles came out on top; they put up a tough fight.” – (LaJoie)
Making a Difference in Brain Health
The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation supports several programs, including Forget-Me-Not, Fund-A-Fellow, and Youth Bike Helmet. These efforts aim to help families facing neurological issues like Alzheimer’s and brain injuries.
By teaming up with groups like the Alzheimer’s Association and UPMC, the foundation has reached more people and provided vital resources.
Looking Ahead
Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie continue to compete in NASCAR, but events like Pickle for a Purpose show their shared dedication to helping others. The strong mix of sport, fun, and support made this year’s event a success and may inspire similar events in the future. The event reminded everyone that sports can unite people for a greater cause, especially when it comes from the heart.
News in Brief: Pickle For a Purpose Charity Event
Ryan Blaney hosted the 2nd Pickle for a Purpose event in Charlotte on May 13 to support brain health through his family’s foundation. With celebrity matches and heartfelt moments, Blaney led Concord PB to a pickleball win over Corey LaJoie’s team and raised funds for Alzheimer’s and concussion support.
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