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 at an annual PingPongforCHARITY
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!
Ph.D., ABN, Hampton Roads Neuropsychology, Chairman of the Board, PingPong.GIVES
VP – Warwick Mechanical Group; PingPongforCHARITY Logistics and Operations Leader. He knows how to manage details!
Board Member & Mentor; Former top U.S. 30 player, USATT Chairman Organizing Committee US Nationals; Table Tennis Hall of Fame 2018
Regional VP - American Funds; PingPongforCHARITY Tournament Director (VP of Bracketology)
Executive Director -Virginia Beach Restaurant Association; PingPongforCHARITY Catering Volunteer
Owner – Chores No More; Volunteer Coordinator and truly "wearer" of all hats!
Retired School Administration – Virginia Beach Public Schools; Donor, Auction Team and Carries many on his back :)
Executive Sales – The Rapid Overland Express (ROX); PingPongforCHARITY Auction and Marketing Team
Founders, Family Fun Xperience; Auction Committee Leaders; Volunteers with Heart!
Playing Ping Pong is one of THE BEST exercises for your brain!
First of two interview sessions sharing the story of the PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Story. 11/2020
Second of two interview sessions sharing the story of the PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation Story. 11/2020
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
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...
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..
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.
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.
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PingPong.GIVES Charity Foundation
1206 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, USA
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