On July 11 Rice County Area United Way hosted the 2nd annual Pickle Paddle at Riverside Park in Northfield, Minnesota. The Pickle Paddle was supported by Gold sponsor Carleton College and dozens of local businesses, donors, and supporters. The Pickle Paddle, a pickleball tournament dedicated to raising funds for local agencies focused on the impact area of health, raised over $8800. All proceeds will stay in Rice County.
The Pickle Paddle hosted 12 mixed doubles teams at Riverside Park Pickleball Courts. Funds raised will support health-focused United Way partner agencies including Aging Services for Communities, A Great Day Farm, HOPE Center, HealthFinders, Healthy Community Initiative, Minnesota Medication Repository Program DBA RoundtableRx, Project ABLE, Restorative and Mediation Practices (RAMP), and Ruth's House of Hope. These organizations provide essential services to Rice County’s most vulnerable neighbors, including medical and dental care, support for survivors of domestic violence, transportation for older adults, social connection for adults with disabilities, and access to lifesaving medications.
Here are the winners of the 2026 Pickle Paddle:
Top Pickles
-
Adam Hoffmann & Rachel Egeberg
-
Jane Becker-Nelson & Peter Nelson
-
Bill Rizzo and Chau Troung
Sweet Pickles
-
Jake and Diana Hvistendahl
-
Maggie and Louis Epstein
-
Saul and Amy McBroom
About Rice County Area United Way
For over 50 years, Rice County United Way has leveraged the caring power of our community to advance the common good. By investing in education, health, and financial stability, Rice County Area United Way mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. Join us at www.ricecountyunitedway.org