“Paddlestar Galactica Returns for a Full Month of Ping-Pong Madness for a Good Cause”

Paddlestar Galactica from 826DC on Vimeo.

From a press release:

“On April 7th, $200 will buy you a lot of dirty tricks for a good cause at 826DC’s Paddlestar Galactica ping-pong tournament. You could make your opponent play with their hand instead of a paddle, wear an eye patch, or be pummeled by ping-pong balls while receiving your serve. No, this is not your typical fundraiser–but 826DC is also not your typical DC nonprofit.

Steeped in whimsy and wonder, 826DC is dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. For the seventh annual Paddlestar Galactica, 826DC is challenging the community to compete in a bracket-style ping-pong tournament. Participants have the month prior to fundraise before competing in the main event on April 7th, noon to 3:00pm at DC’s hottest social club devoted to ping-pong, SPIN (1332 F Street, NW).

This is 826DC’s largest annual fundraiser and all donations go directly to support their free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC’s young people. The event attracts hundreds of spectators for a thrilling day of ping-pong, competition, and jest. “We’re so excited about this year’s Paddlestar Galactica. It’s a wonderful chance for us to raise money, to foster community, and to have a ton of fun,” says Zachary Clark, 826DC’s Executive Director.

“SPIN’s commitment has always been about sharing the joy of ping pong with underserved youth through our #PlayforPlay initiative, which supports local youth organizations by making ping pong accessible and bringing the game to them. We are thrilled to be partnering with 826DC to host their annual ping pong tournament and support their initiative of bringing creative writing to local DC youth,” says Gregory Godfrey, Director of Retail and Partnerships of SPIN Global. Following the event, SPIN will be donating ping-pong tables for the 826DC students to play with at their Columbia Heights writing center.

Ping Pong pro and champion, Khaleel Asgarali, will be a special guest at the tournament. Prizes will also be awarded for “Best Uniform” and “Bling Pong” (for the individual or team who raised the most money overall). Spectators are invited to help select the winner for Best Uniform.

Drink specials include $2 glasses of beer from 3 Star Brewery.

Important Dates:

Weekly Practice

Monday evenings, March 11-April 1st

Get to know the competition, win prizes for your fundraising progress, and work on your ping-pong skills over drinks each week ahead of the big day! Email [email protected] to register a team (1-3 people) and to get location details.

Paddlestar Galactica

Sunday, April 7th

12-3pm at SPIN DC (1332 F Street, NW)

Fundraising participants will compete for a first-place trophy and prestige in a bracket-style competition.

More info: www.826DC.org/paddlestar.”