Pingpong tourney again to help Boys & Girls Clubs

Sponsors and team sign-ups are being sought for the second annual Battle of the Paddles pingpong tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County.

In the 21-and-older event, set for Oct. 9 at Modesto Centre Plaza, 32 teams of two will compete for a perpetual trophy. Businesses, organizations and other groups are invited to enter the competition.

Every team needs a cheering section, so team sponsors receive six tickets. Team sponsorships are $1,500. Other sponsorships are available, from $1,500 to $25,000.

Individual admission tickets to the fundraiser are $100. Attendees can try their hands at darts and other games or just enjoy artwork – done by club members – and food and bar stations.

For more information on sponsorships, contact Laura Ward at 209-549-2765 or laura@wardpromotional.com. Ward is chairwoman of the event and secretary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County board of directors.

The Stanislaus organization, formed in 2011-12, began operations in August 2013 with after-school programs at two elementary schools in the Sylvan Union School District. It added a summer program and third Sylvan site in 2014, and those programs continue, serving students in the Sylvan district.

In June, Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County opened its first traditional site, the West Modesto Club. More than 100 members, ages 6 to 18, are participating in activities at the King-Kennedy Memorial Center, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive.

The organization expects to launch another local club this summer. More information is available at www.bgcstan.org.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 8:14 AM with the headline "Pingpong tourney again to help Boys & Girls Clubs."