Pickleballers Add $3,000 to APD’s Christmas Fundraiser

Posted August 31st 2026

The Avalon Police Department has a holiday tradition of acquiring Christmas presents for children in need. Last year, it gained a partner in the cause.

The Seven Mile Beach pickleball community this year held its second annual Christmas in July fundraiser to help out.

“I was aware that the policemen who run the Christmas in July fundraiser put big donation boxes out, but they weren’t getting much stuff,” said Jill Mauger, a member of the Avalon Pickleball Committee. “We thought it was a good idea with our big pickleball population to put it out to the whole community to raise monetary donations.

“We put it on our TeamReach [with 2,695 participants], we advertised it [at the courts], we had a donation bucket, and we took Venmo. We did very well.”

The fundraiser took place from Thursday evening to Tuesday evening and generated more than $3,000 to purchase holiday gifts for children in need. This was a $500 increase in donations from the pickleball community’s 2025 fundraiser for the same cause.

“People have shown to be extremely generous,” said fellow pickleball committee member Jim Garland. “Typically, when you come to play pickleball, you’re not bringing donations. Venmo’s made it a lot easier.”

Said Mauger: “Last year, I get a text from Detective Sgt. Greg Armstrong who said, ‘We’re going shopping on so-and-so date’ and I went.

“I never knew that all the police go and they have a list of what all the children want. The policemen even wrap the gifts. They do the shopping in late November or December and there’s very few people [at Seven Mile Beach] at that time. That’s why supporting them while everybody’s here makes so much sense.”

On July 28, the Avalon Police Department visited the pickleball courts at the 8th Street Complex on Dune Drive to express their thanks. Armstrong, Police Chief Jeffery Christopher, Capt. Sean McNair, and administrative secretary Alexis Hagner were presented with the $3,000 donation by Mauger and Garland.

The pickleball community is no stranger to supporting local causes. Each year the community also works with the Redeemer Food Pantry and the Cape May County Animal Shelter.

“We’re trying to make an impact on the community beyond just the sport of pickleball,” Garland said. “It is a great way to get people together and share common interests and opportunities.”