Tellico Village Pickleball Charity Event: The Tellico Village Pickleball Club will host its biggest event of the year from May 2 to May 5 to raise funds and awareness for Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, which gives free service animals to injured veterans and first responders. The four-day event will take place at the Tellico Village courts.
The event welcomes veterans to compete in doubles matches while also offering activities for all ages. Most proceeds will go to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. According to club leaders, the event combines competition, social fun, and support for an important cause.
A Club Focused on Community
The Tellico Village Pickleball Club (TVPBC) is one of the largest and most active groups in the community, with about 1,000 members each year. Club president Gary Sawicki says that size gives the club a strong influence.
Vice president Jason Fein said, “We want to do as much as we can and continue to support the community. So long as our members want to continue supporting these events.”
This year, they chose to support Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. The group provides trained service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost. The club saw the partnership as a perfect match due to the large number of veterans in the village.
Fein said the group first reached out to veterans in the club. Then, they connected with people in Loudon, Monroe, and Knox counties to spread the word. While non-members may sign up, only veterans are asked to play. Families and friends can attend to watch, eat, and cheer on players.
Event Schedule and Attractions
The tournament starts Friday, May 2, with a special event for veterans. Some courts will be for games, and others will offer lessons for beginners. The main tournament takes place May 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All games will be doubles.
On Sunday, May 5, the event ends with a fiesta party at the Tellico Village Yacht Club. The party begins at 6 p.m. and includes food, drinks, live music, and both a live and silent auction with Missy Houston of Legacy Real Estate.
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs will be present all weekend. Sawicki said they may hold a puppy parade or dog showcase. While donations are important, he stressed that education is too.
“It is about raising funds for our partner,” Sawicki said. “It’s also about raising an awareness of who they are, what they do and why they do it. So, that’s a part of why we do this as well.”
Built Around Social Fun
Fein explained that the club is more social than competitive. “Our club is a social club that happens to have a competitive aspect,” he said. “Unlike other clubs where competition is the main driving force, and then there’s some social activities, we tend to be the opposite. We’re a little bit older, we kid around a lot more than we are competitive, we really take advantage of the social part of this as much as we can.”
Last year, the club partnered with the Special Olympics. They taught the athletes to play pickleball and gave them paddles at the end of the event. Sawicki said that event was a big success, and he expects the same this year.
Looking ahead, the club plans to work with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund on June 14. They also plan a toy drive during the holiday season.
Why It Matters
This event supports veterans and first responders through Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. It also brings together the community in a fun and friendly way. The club’s ongoing charity work shows how pickleball can be more than just a sport—it can also make a real difference.
News in Brief: Tellico Village Pickleball Charity Event
The Tellico Village Pickleball Club will host a four-day tournament from May 2 to 5 to benefit Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. The event, focused on veterans, includes games, lessons, and a fiesta party. Most proceeds go to the group, which gives free service dogs to injured veterans and first responders.
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