Pickleball with Purpose: Dunwoody Teens Rally Community for Save a Child's Heart
What Is Play Your Heart Out?
Play Your Heart Out is not just a catchy name—it’s a high-energy annual fundraiser that brings the Dunwoody community together through sport, service, and heart. Held each year at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), this event combines fun and philanthropy to support a global cause: providing life-saving heart surgeries for children around the world through the Save a Child's Heart (SACH) organization.
This year’s featured sport is pickleball, with divisions for teens, kids, adults, and all skill levels. But whether you're swinging a paddle or not, your support still counts. Even if you don't play, you can still donate to this powerful cause and help save lives.
Meet Lauren and Jamie: Dunwoody High School's Dynamic Duo
Two of the event's most passionate advocates are Lauren and Jamie, high school students at Dunwoody High School. These motivated teens have taken on leadership roles in promoting Play Your Heart Out and raising awareness for Save a Child's Heart. Lauren first became involved after a life-changing semester in Israel through the Alexander Muss High School program, where she volunteered at the SACH Children’s Center. She played with recovering children and saw firsthand the impact of the organization's work.
Jamie was inspired by her older sisters and her father's involvement with the Atlanta chapter of SACH. Having grown up in a family that prioritized giving back, she was eager to take on a more active role when the opportunity arose. Together, Lauren and Jamie represent the best of what Dunwoody teens can do when given a platform to lead with compassion.
Save a Child's Heart: A Global Lifeline from Israel
Save a Child's Heart is Israel's largest humanitarian organization, known for providing pediatric cardiac care to children suffering from congenital and rheumatic heart disease. With over 7,500 children saved across 70+ countries and a new child helped approximately every 24 hours, the impact is nothing short of extraordinary.
The organization operates from the Edith Wolfson Medical Center and the SACH Children’s Center in Holon, Israel, but its reach is worldwide. SACH doesn’t just treat children; it also trains doctors from developing countries, ensuring sustainable access to heart care long after the surgeries are complete.
From Basketball to Pickleball: How the Event Evolved
Play Your Heart Out began in 2017 as a three-on-three basketball tournament, but like the Dunwoody community itself, it has evolved and grown. Over the years, it has included wiffleball, walk/runs, and more. The pivot to pickleball reflects the sport’s booming popularity among both teens and adults.
Dunwoody's diverse crowd—from students to retirees—appreciates an activity that bridges generations. The new pickleball courts at MJCCA offer a top-tier setting that makes the annual event even more exciting. And thanks to multiple divisions by age and skill level, everyone can play at their own pace.
Local Roots, Global Impact
The Dunwoody chapter of Play Your Heart Out has already raised enough to fund life-saving surgeries for nearly 20 children since its inception. Last year alone, the event raised $80,000, saving five lives. That kind of impact hits home for families across neighborhoods like Dunwoody North and The Branches, where community involvement and giving back are part of daily life.
Podcast host Matt Weber called attention to this local legacy during his interview with Lauren and Jamie on the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast. With a large Jewish population and a strong spirit of philanthropy, Dunwoody has become a natural hub for supporting causes like SACH.
Seeing Is Believing: Volunteering with Heart
Lauren’s time in Israel opened her eyes to the real-world outcomes of fundraising. At the SACH Children’s Center, she met children and families from around the globe recovering from surgery. Many of them didn’t speak English, but that didn’t matter. The connection was human. It was playful. And it was unforgettable.
Her experience reflects a broader theme among volunteers: when you meet the people you’re helping, it all becomes real. And that authenticity has helped draw more Dunwoody teens into the cause, many of whom now volunteer, donate, or help organize the event.
Why Dunwoody Shows Up for This Event
Living in Dunwoody means more than just great schools and beautiful parks. It means being part of a community that cares—deeply. Whether it’s honoring ties to Israel, teaching teens about social impact, or simply enjoying the camaraderie of a shared game, Play Your Heart Out has become a staple on the calendar of Dunwoody events.
Even if you’re not relocating to Dunwoody, it’s easy to see why the community has earned a reputation for meaningful civic engagement. The annual turnout from neighborhoods like Village Mill and Georgetown shows that this isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a full-on community effort.
Can’t Play? You Can Still Donate and Save a Life
While registration for this year’s event is full, the opportunity to make a difference isn’t over. You can still donate directly to Play Your Heart Out Atlanta and be part of saving lives. Every dollar helps pay for surgeries, medical supplies, training, and transportation.
Whether you're a lifelong resident or thinking about moving to Dunwoody, events like this show what kind of community you’re joining—one where neighbors support each other, and kids grow up knowing the power of giving back.
Save a Child's Heart continues to do incredible work around the world, and thanks to the leadership of young people like Lauren and Jamie, the Dunwoody community is making a global difference—one heart at a time.
