A new community event in the Tri-Cities area is putting a fresh spin on fundraising with paddles, live blues music, and a focus on connection.

“Pickleball Smash” is set for Friday, March 13 at Pickleball Kingdom in North Aurora. The idea came to Brad Esposito and his fiancée, Laura, after volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Fox Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The idea, Brad says, was simple: create something welcoming and energizing where people can move, laugh, and connect — all while supporting local seniors.

Brad says the event was inspired by seeing how quietly isolation can affect seniors — and by the strong community turnout he witnessed at last year’s Alzheimer’s walk.

“We wanted to create something joyful and approachable — a place where people could show up, connect, and know they’re supporting something meaningful right here at home,” Brad said. “If people leave feeling more connected than when they arrived, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.”

Organizers are also partnering with several local small business sponsors, adding to the grassroots feel of what’s designed to feel more of a Friday night gathering than a traditional fundraiser.

Tickets and full details are available through the event’s online registration page. The organizers say they hope this is just the first of many community-centered events built around connection.

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