BY JULIE HIGGIE
Summer was a busy time for South Iredell High School senior Jacqueline Maglente as she worked on an ambitious idea to fulfill requirements of the International Baccalaureate Program under the Creativity, Activity and Service diploma program.
She drew upon her love of children to initiate her plan to organize a community pickleball tournament this fall to raise funds for the Bridge of Hearts nonprofit organization.
“It’s so cool to see it shaping up,” Jacqueline said.
The tournament is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, at the tennis court facilities of The Farms neighborhood, 420 Agnew Road in Mooresville. It will be a double-elimination tournament where teams play each other until there’s only one team left.
Winners will receive trophies. The event will also feature a raffle basket. Snacks and water will be provided.
Registration is available at www.pickleball-boh.cheddarup.com. The cost is $30 per team, with 25 team spots available. Donations and sponsorships are also available on this link.
Several local businesses are sponsoring the tournament, including Solid Roofing of Mooresville, the Serve Pickleball Plus Kitchen in Huntersville, Monsoon Restaurant, and the Retro Pickleball online supply store. Tournament volunteers will receive a T-shirt from MTJ Merchandising.
“We’re so grateful that Jacqueline has chosen to use her leadership skills to organize this event, which will benefit homeless and impoverished children in our community,” said Dr. Linda Morris, Bridge of Hearts’ executive director. “This was totally her idea, and she has done a wonderful job of making it happen. She is to be commended for her hard work and dedication.”
Why Bridge of Hearts?
“I read about the organization, and I loved the mission because I’ve always been very passionate about working with kids,” Jacqueline explained. “In my sophomore year, I was looking for volunteer opportunities and that’s when I came across the idea of doing an Angel Tree for Bridge of Hearts.”
She organized an Angel Tree and started volunteering at Bridge of Hearts’ headquarters, located at the Broad Street Methodist Church in Mooresville.
Bridge of Hearts is a youth charity organization that provides birthday experiences to impoverished children who otherwise might miss out on the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays. Gifts are provided by generous community donors, wrapped by volunteers, and placed into bags to be distributed by public school counselors to those in need.
The organization also provides snacks for hungry students and hygiene bags so they can better enjoy their school experience. That part of the mission is important to Jacqueline because she’s heading toward a medical career.
“I always wanted to be a cardiologist but now that’s changed to oncology,” she explained.
LEARN MORE
For more information, contact lindamorris@bohnc.org or visit www.pickleball-boh.cheddarup.com