Derrick: Come have fun, give blood

You may have seen recent ads in Mainstreet for the 6^th Annual Gainesville Indoor Pickleball Showcase coming up this weekend at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe.

Well, I think the ads worked. More than 400 people registered to participate in the event—so many that organizers had to turn some away.

But there are still at least two ways you can join in on the fun. First, you can come watch the action unfold as a spectator for free. Whether you’re one of the 36 million Americans who play pickleball, or you’re one of those wondering what this popular new sport is all about, this weekend is for you.

Friday will feature men’s and women’s singles, Saturday will feature men’s and women’s doubles, and Sunday will showcase mixed doubles.

Second, come meet the Mainstreet Daily News team and do a good deed while you’re at it. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Mainstreet staff will be outside the events center at the LifeSouth blood mobile. We hope you will come by to say hi, get some swag, and give blood at a time when it is very much needed.

We recently reported on how LifeSouth is in the throes of a summer blood shortage, so we wanted to help fill the gap with this event. And even if you can’t come between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, you will still have an opportunity to give the gift of life. The blood mobile will stay until 5 p.m. Saturday and be available again from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.  

As a thank you, LifeSouth is giving away $20 gift cards to all donors.

Our thanks to LifeSouth and Touching Hearts at Home for making this event possible. We look forward to seeing you Saturday!