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Businessman Turns Love Of Ping Pong Into Charity

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How It All Started

It's All My Dad's Fault, and Much Hope From A Guy Named Dallas

In 2008, Dallas Stamper, founder of PiN Ministy had his reservations when Ken Lees approached him about hosting a Table Tennis tournament to benefit Stamper’s nonprofit organization, People In Need Ministry, for the homeless. “I thought, ‘This guy is crazy,’ ” Stamper said. “How can a Ping Pong tournament help the homeless?”


And the first annual PingPongforPOVERTY tournament was born.  75 people played on 12 scratch and dent tables in a church gymnasium and $5,000 was raised for PiN Ministry.


By the 3rd year, the event grew into a two-day event and raising over $45,ooo each year.

Then, by expanding and broadening the appeal, a name change to PingPongforCHARITY(TM) helped the events to draw nearly 200 players (from 7 to 87) on 30 brand new KETTLER tables, raised $70,000+ for for Charity Partners to include People In Need, Alzheimer’s, Vanguard Landing and Parkinson’s.

Organizers of this year’s event hope to see even more growth in all areas!


“None of the success would be possible without our family of corporate sponsors, friends and neighbors – and of course our host, the Va. Beach Field House which has served as perfect venue to accommodate the Celebrity SLAMFest Kick Off, Auction and Recreational Ping Pong tournament,” Lees said. “Also, KETTLER donated the equipment, tables, paddles and balls, which is huge.”


Lees’ idea came at an ideal time for Stamper, who was dealing with People In Need’s $10,000 shortfall for 2008. “Without the tournament, I’ve having to decided which services I’m going to have to take away from homeless people,” said Stamper, who left his career at General Electric in 2006 to pursue People In Need full time. “There are people who complain and cry about homelessness, but it’s people like Ken that do something about it that are really making a difference.”


Ping Pong has been a part of Lees’ life since early childhood, when he would tag along with his father as he competed in tournaments along the East Coast.


While Lees never caught the competitive bug, he remained a recreational player. But casual games between family and friends weren’t fulfilling enough, said Lees, who decided to use his favorite game to aid a charity — and now multiple charities, schools and senior communities.


“I just wanted this to be something truly unique,” said Lees, a Lagomar resident, in Virginia Beach, VA.

“I knew this could really become something special, but I had no idea what to expect.”


And now, endorsed by, and in partnership with the USA Table Tennis Association, we are integrating Table Tennis Sports and Education Programs in local Schools and Senior Communities!  And together, we’re excited to invite Non-Profit Organizations looking for a unique fundraiser by bringing the Annual PingPongforCHARITY™ Celebrity SLAMFest Events & Recreation Tournaments to their city!


And we’re promoting Brain Fitness for all ages, Youth to Seniors and those facing Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Depression, Homelessness and Mild to Moderate intellectual challenges…

Ken and his Dad, Larry Lees, celebrating another tournament victory.

Ken and his Dad, Larry Lees, celebrating another tournament victory at an annual PingPongforCHARITY 

Interviews with Ken Lees, Founder of PingPong.GIVES

Podcast credit: Retail Alliance Association

Video Credit: Images By Design

Meet Our Board

Board members are the fiduciaries who steer this organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission. 


We are thankful for EACH of these volunteer leaders!

Board Of Directors

Dr. Scott Sautter

Dr. Scott Sautter

Dr. Scott Sautter

Ph.D., ABN, Hampton Roads Neuropsychology, Chairman of the Board, PingPong.GIVES 

Jeff Cash

Dr. Scott Sautter

Dr. Scott Sautter

 VP – Warwick Mechanical Group; PingPongforCHARITY Logistics and Operations Leader.  He knows how to manage details!

Dean Johnson

Dr. Scott Sautter

Steve Thompson

Board Member & Mentor; Former top U.S. 30 player, USATT Chairman Organizing Committee US Nationals; Table Tennis Hall of Fame 2018 

Steve Thompson

Stacey Shiflett

Steve Thompson

Regional VP - American Funds; PingPongforCHARITY Tournament Director (VP of Bracketology)

Stacey Shiflett

Stacey Shiflett

Stacey Shiflett

Executive Director -Virginia Beach Restaurant Association; PingPongforCHARITY Catering Volunteer

Vikki Thompson

Stacey Shiflett

Stacey Shiflett

Owner – Chores No More; Volunteer Coordinator and truly "wearer" of all hats!  

Frank Gillikin

Tim and Angie Rittter

Frank Gillikin

Retired School Administration – Virginia Beach Public Schools; Donor, Auction Team and Carries many on his back :) 

Diana Burke

Tim and Angie Rittter

Frank Gillikin

  Executive Sales – The Rapid Overland Express (ROX); PingPongforCHARITY Auction and Marketing Team  

Tim and Angie Rittter

Tim and Angie Rittter

Tim and Angie Rittter

Founders, Family Fun Xperience; Auction Committee Leaders; Volunteers with Heart!

We Raise Awareness and Funding To Impove Brain Health!

Playing Ping Pong is one of THE BEST exercises for your brain!

Video Interview by Lindsay Lopez

Part 1: Why Ping Pong as a Charity?

 First of two interview sessions sharing the story of the PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Story.  11/2020 

Part 2: Tell Us About the Impact!

 Second of two interview sessions sharing the story of the PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Story.  11/2020 

What We're All About

The Health Benefits

The Health Benefits

The Health Benefits

Interestingly, there is much attention revealing how the sport of Table Tennis is ONE OF THE BEST THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES for The Brain!


Table Tennis happens to be the world’s best brain sport and is a better aerobic exercise than you might imagine; it gives your brain one heck of a workout.


A fascinating brain imaging study from Japan found

Interestingly, there is much attention revealing how the sport of Table Tennis is ONE OF THE BEST THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES for The Brain!


Table Tennis happens to be the world’s best brain sport and is a better aerobic exercise than you might imagine; it gives your brain one heck of a workout.


A fascinating brain imaging study from Japan found that just 10 minutes of table tennis increases activity in the prefrontal cortex  

Find out more

Our Mission

The Health Benefits

The Health Benefits

Our mission is to improve Brain Health & Mental Fitness by playing Ping Pong, or Table Tennis!  


Our Motto: Cross-Train Your Brain.  Play Ping-Pong. 


Our GOAL is to Utilize the Brain-Stimulating Sport of Table Tennis to Raise Awareness & Money for our Charity Partners focused on Mental Health Issues like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Dementia, Depression,  Intellectual Challenges and more...

Learn more

Our Video Story

The Health Benefits

How It All Started

A little boy enthusiastically cheers from the crowd at a ping pong tournament. “Come On, Dad!” he shouts as his father scores point after point with his worn out rubber paddle. 


This is how it all started for Ken Lees.

He’s been playing ping pong with his dad since he was five years old.


Then, in 2008 PingPongforCHARITY was born..


Watch Video

How It All Started

Shop and Donate without Writing a Check

How It All Started

Playing Ping Pong has always been a part of life for Ken Lees. His dad Larry, had him on a table in the garage at all hours since Ken was about 5 years old.  


And today, this game has turned into the creation of a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Foundation, an Annual  PingPongforCHARITY Celebrity Events & Recreation Tournament — endorsed by partner USA Table Tennis Association. 

Read More...

Our Charity Partners

Shop and Donate without Writing a Check

Shop and Donate without Writing a Check

The PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Supports 5 Charity Partners; adds 1 every other year.


Every couple of years, the PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Board of Directors selects a qualifying non-profit organization to add as a Charity Partner.

Read More...

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Shop and Donate without Writing a Check

Shop and Donate without Writing a Check

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PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation

1206 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, United States

757.375.8198

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PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation

1206 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, USA

757.375.8198

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