The inaugural Fits for Funds ping pong fundraiser tournament will support the International WeLoveU Foundation’s mission on environmental health and community well-being issues.
The tournament, which is in partnership with Princeton Pong, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 745 Alexander Road in Princeton on June 26.
WeLoveU is a nonprofit associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. The projects focus on achieving the U.N.’s SDGs (sustainable development goals). The organization aims to raise a total of $100,000 and they have already reached 40% of its goal.
The tournament is open to public with free general admission tickets and a $250 tournament entry fee. Both players and non-players may win prizes for fundraising, as well as auctions and raffles.
In accordance with International Table Tennis Federation Federation (ITTF) standards, 32 ping-pong players will compete in a group stage, and the top two players of each group of four will advance to a single-elimination bracket. The winner of the tournament will receive a Princeton Pong gift basket worth $800, including a ping pong equipment and merchandise items.
Non-players can also play in non-competitive ping-pong matches, as well as outdoor games like pickleball and badminton. Food trucks from local restaurants will be present.
The idea of Fit for Funds originated a few years ago, when WeLoveU hosted annual health expos for the community to learn about healthy lifestyles.
“We wanted to recreate the event, but make it more interactive and engaging,” said Alexandria Lee-Laguerre, director of marketing. “It evolved through conversations with our volunteers, and we decided that ping pong would be a great way for people to stay active and healthy while also enjoying themselves and learning about opportunities to give to the community.”
The specific initiatives include the “Clean & Green” Project that addresses Philadelphia’s vacant parking lot crisis, the “Packs on Backs & Tools for Schools” national initiative to support under-resourced communities going back to school, a winter clothing drive, and the “Clean WORLD” movement that aims to plant 100,000 trees by 2030.
Learn more and register for the tournament visit https://weloveuusa.org/fundraiser-tournament/.