A fundraising effort Nov. 8 filled the courts at Pickleball Kingdom, 2180 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, to benefit the Jess Fin Foundation. The event was billed as “Paddle with a Purpose.” Every serve, rally and donation helped fund brain tumor research and support individuals and families in the Lehigh Valley impacted by a brain cancer diagnosis.

The event included a competitive pickleball tournament or the option to sign up for open play. There were also fun games of ping pong, cornhole, a practice pickleball wall and R&B music by Emmitt and the Gooze. Jess Fin Foundation apparel was for sale, and there was a basket raffle and food and drink. It was also BYOB.

Jess Finlayson taught eighth-grade math and coached varsity volleyball at Northampton Area High School. She was a beloved teacher and coach and was a heartwarming person. Her smile was infectious and her upbeat, positive attitude influenced many students in the Northampton Area School District.

Finlayson graduated from Emmaus High School in 2010 and studied math at Lebanon Valley College, where she played volleyball for four years. She began as a teacher at Northampton after graduation from Lebanon Valley College and was excited to be selected the NAHS varsity volleyball coach.

In 2018, Finlayson’s symptoms emerged as a seizure. A brain tumor was found and her condition worsened.

Finlayson endured, in the best spirits possible, radiation therapy, a year of chemotherapy and multiple brain surgeries to remove the spreading tumor. Despite numerous medical interventions, her tumor continued to return. After nearly three years, she succumbed in 2021.

The Jess Fin Foundation’s mission is to raise money for organizations that are actively identifying and creating treatments for brain cancer.

The Jess Fin Foundation was founded in 2022 and has disbursed about $124,000. To learn more about the foundation and to contribute, visit jessfinfoundation.org.

There are 14 indoor pickleball courts at Pickleball Kingdom. They offer private and group pickleball training sessions. Each court has live replays, downloadable videos and digital scoreboards available to enhance the player’s experience. Individual memberships are available and can be paid monthly or yearly. Visit pickleballkingdom.com for more information.

Pickleball’s popularity has grown throughout the United States. It is a paddle game, like tennis, with a smaller court and a durable plastic wiffle-like ball.