Pickleball America hosts first Dinko de Mayo Tournament

Pickleball America hosted its first Dinko de Mayo Tournament in Stamford on Sunday to support mental health.

Proceeds benefited the Southwest Connecticut Chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The goal of the organization is to raise awareness about mental health and provide education and support.

As part of the event, there was a celebrity match with ESPN personalities Anita Marks and Dave Rothenberg and former professional athletes Amani Toomer and Rick DiPietro.

Organizers said their goal is to bring people together, which can be beneficial to one's mental health.

"Any form of physical activity or socialization or playing with other people just moving your body is so good for mental health. Just being with other people and connecting and connecting through sport is so magical," said Mia Schipani, chief marketing office.

Schipani added Pickleball America wanted to host the event because May is National Mental Health Awareness.