Popular Pickleball Charity Tournament Returns to South Jersey This Summer

When the weather gets warmer in New Jersey, there are more opportunities to get outside and enjoy activities. Also, with the Spring and Summer seasons come opportunities for you to attend local festivals and support charitable causes.

For South Jersey locals and vacationers, one of the highlights each year are opportunities to support great causes. For example, the Mike's Seafood Run/Walk for Autism hosted in Sea Isle City each President's Day Weekend sees thousands of people come to the Jersey Shore to raise money and awareness.

The 2025 edition of Mike's Seafood Run-Walk for Autism had record attendance, and the fundraising has been used to open a new outpatient testing room for children and adults with ASD or other sensory needs at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point.

Another great fundraising event that incorporates one of the most popular social activities in the United States is back in South Jersey this summer.

Former Eagles Player Headlines Popular Charity Event In South Jersey

There are more than 30 Pickleball Courts available for the public in New Jersey's southernmost county, and you can have the opportunity to play against former professional athletes this summer.

The third annual Make The World Better Pickleball Tournament is back in Sea Isle City this summer. Hosted at the Pickleball Courts off 42nd Place near the bay and JFK Boulevard Bridge, this event each year sees numerous former and current NFL Players come out to support the cause.

Former Eagles Linebacker Conor Barwin started the Make The World Better Foundation over ten years ago to raise money for community revitalization projects. The organization has raised millions of dollars, which have built four parks.

"Make The World Better Foundation I started over ten years ago when I started playing for the (Philadelphia) Eagles. We have worked directly with communities to reimagine and rebuild their public space" Barwin told 973 ESPN before last year's MTWB Pickleball Tournament. "When I got to Philly, (the Eagles) gave me a good contract and I decided that I wanted to make this my home. I thought, 'I'm so lucky to play in Philly and play for these fans', I felt like I should do something to give back to the community. I've been learning the whole time, the last ten years, how to get things done in (Philadelphia), how to it the right way."

The 2025 edition of the Make The World Better Pickleball Tournament will be Saturday, June 28thwith Registration at 11 am and the Tournament will begin before Noon at the Sea Isle City Pickleball Courts. There will be an Afterparty at Dockside on Park Road scheduled for 4 pm with Raffle Prizes to raise more money for the great cause.

Last year, Eagles Super Bowl Champions Jake Elliott and Beau Allen won the Advanced Division. Other celebrities who came out for the MTWB Pickleball Tournament included Malcolm Jenkins, Trent Cole, and Jason Avant.

For more information about supporting the Make The World Better Foundation, sponsoring the Pickleball Tournament, or competing at this year's event, you can visit their website here.

The next time you visit Sea Isle City off Garden State Parkway Exit 17, there are many great places to eat at this Summer: