Raising Hope: Yard Pong

In 2011, Jen and Nick Szupowal established a charity event in their hometown in Pennsylvania centered around Yard Pong, a giant outdoor version of a popular game. The objective of the game is to throw or bounce a ball across the way into the opponent’s buckets, eliminating them one by one until a team has no buckets left. With the motto “Charity through Camaraderie,” over the past 14 years, this event has raised more than $52,000 for over 25 different charities and nonprofit organizations, both locally and nationally. This year, the event will host four separate tournaments, with Yard Pong Tournaments for Charity having expanded to Florida, South Carolina, and Delaware.

Each state’s tournament operates as an independent entity, and each winner has the opportunity to select the charity or organization that will receive the tournament’s fundraising the following year.

In 2023, Emily Moyer won the Pennsylvania championship and chose to dedicate the 2024 fundraising to the Autoimmune Association. Emily and her husband Jeff have been close friends of Jen and Nick for decades. Sadly, they all had to watch Emily’s father struggle for years with an undiagnosed medical condition. When he was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it became clear how significantly it would impact his life and the lives of his loved ones in ways they had never imagined.

“Talking to others about our experience made us realize how many people are affected by autoimmune diseases. We hope that with more research, those suffering can be diagnosed more quickly and receive effective treatment. Knowledge is power,” Emily shared.

Nick and Jen were honored to dedicate the funds from the Pennsylvania Yard Pong Tournament to the Autoimmune Association, moved by their commitment to raising national awareness for the more than 50 million Americans affected by autoimmune disease.

When asked for advice for others interested in hosting a fundraiser for the Autoimmune Association, Nick and Jen were quick to respond, “Have fun with it! Be organized, but stay flexible.”

Over the 14 years of the tournament, they’ve faced unexpected challenges — from extreme weather to last-minute cancellations by participants or volunteers, not to mention the impact of the global pandemic. The event wasn’t canceled during the pandemic; instead, it adapted, with participants from eight states competing via Zoom. This ability to adapt has been key to their continued success.

A growing network of participants, volunteers, and supporters has been instrumental in both the event logistics and fundraising efforts. What began as a small gathering of friends has expanded significantly, as each participant shared the event with their own circles, creating a vast Yard Pong Tournament network. Nick and Jen credit much of their success to social media, particularly a dedicated Facebook group for the various state tournaments. This space allows them to provide updates, announce selected organizations, share fundraising progress, and post photos and videos.

The number of teams has grown from six to as many as 40, a testament to the camaraderie the event fosters. Many participants have expressed how meaningful it is to play for a cause, and it’s this charitable component that has driven the tournament’s growth. The sense of purpose and teamwork amplifies the impact.

One of Nick and Jen’s favorite aspects of the tournament is the relationships they’ve built over time. They pour their hearts into the event, and in return, they’ve felt an overwhelming sense of positivity and community from everyone involved.

Looking ahead, they’ve already received inquiries from additional states about starting their own divisions and tournaments. The growth of Yard Pong has been remarkable.

The Autoimmune Association joins an esteemed group of 24 other organizations that have benefited from Yard Pong fundraising. This event not only raises critical awareness for autoimmune diseases in local communities, but also generates vital funds to support research, treatments, and potential cures for autoimmune diseases worldwide.