Celebrity Fundraiser in Los Angeles Combines Pickleball and Philanthropy
A Unique Fundraising Event
This past weekend in Los Angeles, a special event merged the worlds of pickleball and philanthropy, as environmental advocate Maggie Baird organized a star-studded fundraiser aimed at addressing food insecurity and supporting community relief efforts. Baird, who is the founder of the nonprofit Support+Feed and the mother of Grammy-winning musicians Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, hosted the inaugural Pickleball Invitational and Game Night Fundraiser at PIKL L.A.
The event drew a notable crowd, featuring celebrities such as Eilish, O’Connell, Angelina Jolie with her son Pax Jolie-Pitt, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, and former Spice Girls member Melanie C. The fundraiser successfully combined pickleball, community involvement, and charitable contributions, with proceeds directed towards Support+Feed’s meal distribution programs, food access initiatives, emergency relief efforts, and educational campaigns.
Baird emphasized the significance of the cause, especially as communities work to recover from recent disasters. She remarked, "Our work in L.A. has taken on even greater urgency since the fires last year. It’s extremely moving to see our community come together to support our neighbors." The event included a pickleball tournament catering to players of all skill levels, while those who preferred not to play enjoyed activities like ping-pong, UNO, and socializing throughout the venue.
According to reports, the event showcased the increasing popularity of pickleball among celebrities and figures in the entertainment industry, highlighting its potential as a platform for charitable initiatives and community outreach. Organizers noted, "The response to events like this shows how pickleball can bring together people from very different backgrounds around a common purpose. The game creates an environment where competition, conversation, and community naturally come together, making it an ideal fundraising platform."
Guests were treated to plant-based meals prepared by Support+Feed partners Cena Vegan and Strong Roots, both of which have collaborated with the nonprofit on food distribution projects. Founded by Baird in 2020, Support+Feed has broadened its focus to include climate-conscious food education and emergency response initiatives. Baird has consistently linked dietary choices to wider environmental goals, stating, "Getting people to understand that what we eat matters, and every time you can make a more sustainable choice, that makes a major impact."
She also believes that the entertainment industry can significantly influence sustainable food practices, asserting, "The music industry has so much power to do that. Every arena, every stadium, every venue is serving so many people that if you make your menu 80 percent plant-based, you’re going to make such a big impact." Baird's sustainability efforts have extended into the music industry through collaborations with Billie Eilish's tours, which included increasing plant-based food options, promoting sustainable travel, and organizing food drives at select venues.
Organizers stated, "Events like the Pickleball Invitational demonstrate how sports, entertainment, and community action can work together to generate awareness and meaningful support for important causes. Whether people came for the pickleball, the cause, or the community, the goal was to create an experience that inspires long-term engagement and positive impact." As pickleball continues to draw participants from beyond traditional sports circles, the Los Angeles fundraiser underscored the sport's growing role as a platform for social causes, community building, and charitable fundraising.