Serving Up Impact: SVP Vancouver’s Impact Open Highlights

The energy was high and the spirit of collaboration even higher at SVP Vancouver’s first-ever Impact Open: A Pickleball Invitational on Wednesday, September 24th. As Janelle Zwarych, our Director of Engagement, shared in her welcome speech, “This event was designed to bring together SVP Partners, corporate allies, and nonprofit organizations in a new way to support youth and children in B.C.” And it delivered! The sold-out event served up more than rallies and volleys — it sparked conversations, forged new connections, and left many asking, “When’s the next one?”

SVP Curated Lasting Connections On and Off the Courts

This was not simply a tournament. The SVP Vancouver Impact Open was a purpose-built experience for the charitable sector where relationship-building and building SVP’s brand worked hand in hand to increase support for children and youth in B.C. 

As Randy Garg shared, “SVP is quite different from other [philanthropic] organizations, because it is about more than giving money, it’s about enabling the nonprofit organization to become self-sustaining.” The SVP team set out to create a sustainable event that disrupts the norm, echoing our organization’s vision and giving model—but on the court! 

In advance and on site, we played the role of connector and convener, curating an environment where corporate sponsors, prospective donors, nonprofit leaders, and engaged Partners could meet, mingle, and play on common ground. 

As Lia Diccio from Blind Beginnings shared with us, “It was so easy to talk to Partners because there was a built-in ice breaker. It was so much fun and people really connected with the event and one another.” It was clear hearing the conversations, that many attendees left with new insights, new relationships, and a renewed sense of why SVP Vancouver’s impact is so critical for nonprofit leaders and the programming they provide children and youth.

Celebrating the Champs & Changemakers

From photobooth fun to infectious team spirit to an intense final rally, it was a day to remember.

🏆 Congratulations to our 1st place team: Wayman Crosby and Mark Therriault, and 2nd place team Jordan Dinesen and Dave Dinesen, pictured above

📸 Best team spirit went to Natália Fonseca from New West Family Place and Savannah Sutherland from Environmental Youth Alliance, who brought the energy and the enthusiasm for connection throughout the day.

🙌 And to the winner of our Champions of Change draw, New West Family Place, who, in addition to all of our participating nonprofit organizations effect changes in our sector and the lives of youth and children every day.

The Additional Impact We’re Celebrating

Beyond the courtside conversations and high-fives, the SVP Vancouver Impact Open sparked a ripple of intentional wins. Here are a few standout moments we’re still cheering for:

• We effectively engaged new Corporate sponsors and volunteers — with even more already pledged for next year! 

• Funders and nonprofit leaders found common ground, deepening trust through fun rallies, meaningful conversations, and real-time teamwork on and off the court.

• Nearly 100 people in attendance, building significant community reach and brand awareness through play.

And most importantly, our SVP community grew stronger — together. This is what SVP does best: create the conditions for collaboration that lead to deeper relationships and greater results.

If you are interested in joining us next year as a sponsor, volunteer, or supporter please let Janelle know at [email protected]. We’re already looking forward to bringing our community back together to ultimately support more children and youth in B.C.

Thank you to all our SVP Partners, including Praveen and Anuja Varshney, who sparked the idea for this unique experience and everyone who facilitated new corporate partners. We have immense gratitude to the nonprofit leaders and their teams who joined us, and to our sponsors who made this unforgettable day possible.

All photography by Danie Easton, ETW Media.