48 teams participated in our inaugural Pancakes and Pickleball charity tournament, raising nearly $20,000.
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries has built many traditions over the last 31 years. Among our favorite traditions is our annual Pancake Breakfast.
Reimagining an Old Tradition
This year, our favorite tasty tradition was back in-person for the first time since 2020, but with a new twist: a pickleball tournament.
Energy ran high throughout the day! Families and pickleball players made their way to the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, checked in, and surveyed the raffle items.
Pickleball players warmed up together. Many players enjoyed the pancake breakfast, as well as the fruit and toppings from our toppings bar.
Expanding Horizons
The kitchen kept the pancakes and syrup flowing throughout the morning, and over 300 people attended the event. Many families who came for the pancake breakfast stayed to watch the pickleball tournament. Several kids picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time and learned how to play.
“I really loved and appreciated the mix of players that were there—beginners to advanced intermediate,” said Rod Petersen, a founding member of our Pancakes and Pickleball committee. “Additionally, there was also a mix of cities—with Springfield, Kansas City, Macon, and more represented.”
One team had a player from St. Louis and a player from Kansas City. After they learned about the tournament, it felt like the perfect opportunity for them to play together.
Blessed With Amazing Support
This event would not be possible without the help of our sponsors. We are also so grateful for Ray Harris, who volunteered to run the entire tournament. His support was essential—the tournament was so smooth, efficient, and seamless!
We are also incredibly grateful for the many volunteers who made this event possible.
“I honestly just love serving people in any capacity whether giving swag bags or just connecting,” said Dr. Amanda Alcamo, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries volunteer and Pancakes and Pickleball committee member. “I hope people find community within Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries & the great organization that it is to keep being involved whether fostering, donating, or attending events. All aspects are valued and appreciated to help kids for a better tomorrow!”
We feel so blessed to be able to share Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s mission and work with so many new friends, and we were so happy to see familiar faces from past pancake breakfasts in person again.
Pickleball Proceeds Make a Difference
All proceeds from this event will go directly to support a variety of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries operations. This is so instrumental to the work that we do to support and walk alongside families as they embark on their foster care journey. Everyone who participated in the tournament, enjoyed pancakes, or made a contribution significantly impacted the life of a child in foster care. This will look like:
- Funding sensory kits. Our foster family “starter kit” is gifted to each child that is placed in a Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries home. These kits include trauma-informed tools that can help children regulate their actions and emotions.
- Supporting new families that are participating in STARS trainings this fall. This program introduces prospective foster and adoptive families to the rewards and challenges involved in caring for children in foster care, and it is the first step toward becoming a foster parent in Missouri. We are offering classes this fall in Columbia, Hannibal, and Moberly.
- Helping our ministry license more families. This past May, we celebrated licensing over 100 families. We are continuing to work tirelessly to license more foster parents in order to create as many safe homes for children as possible.
- Empowering our advocates to effectively provide resources and support to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries families. Our Foster Care Services team provides a unique model of advocacy and support to foster parents. They maintain relationships with foster parents and work to make sure they feel seen and heard throughout their journey.
Thank You!
We would not be able to do the work that we do for children in foster care without the generous support of our community. We are thrilled that this event could be a fun way to raise money to help create more safe homes. Thank you for your attendance, participation, and contribution to our organization.
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