Together We Dink Pickleball Event: Two Roslyn residents and a nonprofit group are teaming up to host a pickleball and dinner event on Saturday, May 17, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sportime Pickleball in Westbury. The event, called “Together We Dink,” will use sport, food, and fun to bring people together and fight loneliness.
Building Community Through Pickleball
Rich Silverstein and Geoffrey Goldberg, from Roslyn, created PickleballEXP to raise money for good causes through fun, social pickleball events. They partnered with Sprout Society, a non-profit that supports mental health and connection, to host “Together We Dink.”
“It’s a great feeling to give back. It’s just a great thing to see the benefit of raising money for various causes and organizations that will benefit from it.” – (Goldberg)
The event is named after a soft shot in pickleball known as a “dink.” It will feature games, food, drinks, prizes, and social time.
A Full Night of Fun and Giving
Attendees can play pickleball on one of Sportime Pickleball’s 13 indoor courts. Players can come with friends or meet new people. Local vendors will also be there.
Professional pickleball coach Tanner Tomassi will attend to train and play with people of all skill levels. There will be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and dinner provided by Roslyn restaurants like Delicacies and Takumi Taco. An open bar will also be available. Tickets cost $250 for full access, including games, food, and drinks. A $125 option is available for food and shopping only.
Past Success and Growing Impact
PickleballEXP previously raised about $60,000 for North Shore Autism Circle at their “Dinks and Drinks” event in March. That event also included vendors such as Spectrum Designs, The Nicholas Center, Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, and Horseability.
Rich Silverstein and Geoffrey Goldberg have been friends and work partners for over 40 years. Rich Silverstein plays pickleball five times a week, while Geoffrey Goldberg brings business experience to the events they host together.
PickleballEXP plans to keep hosting events for non-profits, schools, hospitals, and other groups that want to raise money in a fun, welcoming way. Silverstein believes the sport helps bring together people of all ages, genders, and athletic levels.
Sprout Society’s Mission
Sprout Society was founded by the family of Russell J. Efros, a Roslyn native who died in 2018 from accidental fentanyl poisoning at age 25. It was first called the Russell J. Efros Foundation but now focuses on mental wellness and peer support.
“There’s a huge lack of peer support, of connecting with people who have gone through similar lived experiences,” said Danielle Kastenbaum, co-founder of Sprout Society and sister of Russell J. Efros.
“We basically came together and said, we are going to be a non-clinical organization where we offer peer support. Our whole thing is that we’re dedicated to combating loneliness and strengthening mental wellness through peer support to make sure that no one has to navigate any of mental health challenges, addiction or any of life’s moments alone.” – (Danielle Kastenbaum)
Kastenbaum hopes “Together We Dink” will show the importance of connection and support. She also sees pickleball as a fun way to reduce stress.
Though based in Brooklyn, Sprout Society is eager to offer its services in Roslyn and across Long Island. “Together We Dink” will bring together people from different backgrounds to support a good cause through sport, food, and friendship.
News in Brief: Together We Dink Pickleball Event
Sprout Society and PickleballEXP are hosting “Together We Dink” on May 17 at Sportime Pickleball in Westbury. The event mixes games, food, and socializing to raise awareness for mental health and fight loneliness. Tickets include pickleball, dinner, drinks, and access to vendors and prizes.
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