TopSpin Charity announced it will celebrate five years of supporting youth education in New York City with a charity table tennis tournament on Nov. 6, at Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. TopSpin, a national philanthropic group, dedicated to empowering America’s youth through education, will bring together more than 1,500 members of the sports and entertainment industries, including top sports executives and athletes from New York-based professional teams, including defending champion Allan Houston, the long-time Knicks star.
Highlighting this year’s event is the Team-Up Challenge, an individual tournament where more than 150 challengers play on behalf of a nonprofit with the chance to take home one of many great prizes. In addition to the Team-Up Challenge, the event includes a Corporate Team Challenge in which teams compete for ultimate bragging rights while playing table tennis for one of TopSpin’s grantees. There will also be a silent auction onsite, featuring a variety of sports memorabilia, and a Celebrity Tournament that will headline the evening festivities.
Tickets and more information available at www.topspincharity.com.
Charlie Horsey, Chairman and CEO of global marketing services agency MKTG INC, took a few minutes to discuss event with NYSportsDay.
NYSD: What can people expect at the TopSpin Charity Table Tennis Tournament?
Horsey: For the last five years, TopSpin’s Table Tennis Tournament has brought together athletes, celebrities and members of the sports, media and entertainment industries to raise dollars for the mission of providing a quality education for children who might not have the same educational opportunities as others. This year’s event promises to be the largest ever. It gives guests a chance to engage in some friendly competition and meet like-minded people in a setting that’s different from other charity events.
NYSD: Where doe MKTG INC fit in?
Horsey: MKTG INC is proud to be TopSpin’s partner, and for the last three years we’ve planned and produced the party pro-bono through our MKTGINC 4 GOOD charitable arm, because it’s important to us as a company to give back to the communities where we work and play. It’s truly a fantastic event.
NYSD: TopSpin donates event proceeds to a number of charities. What are those charities?
Horsey: TopSpin and its partners, including MKTG INC, have helped 14 amazing educational nonprofits since the event’s inception in 2009. Those include alternative schools like the College Prep Academy Charter School in the South Bronx, a local chapter of A Better Chance, summer enrichment programs like Horizons and Wishbone.org, and a Brooklyn Change for Kids school.
NYSD: How does TopSpin select those charities you mentiond?
Horsey: TopSpin and its partners focus on finding nonprofits with great leaders that are making a significant impact on a very local or individual basis. We’d also like to recognize our clients, including Diageo, for their generous in-kind support of our efforts.
NYSD: How much money has been raised?
Horsey: Over the past five years, MKTG INC has helped TopSpin raise over a million dollars for these worthy charities
NYSD: The event includes a celebrity tournament as well?
Horsey: Yes, we’re always pleased to have the participation of celebrities, including New York-based athletes. They’re all quite competitive, as you can imagine – so guests really enjoy the celebrity competition.
NYSD: Anything new for the fifth annual event?
Horsey: This year the table where the finals will be played will be elevated and will provide a true focal-point in the middle of the large event footprint. It’s the highlight of the night!
NYSD: Any early favorites?
Horsey: Allan Houston of the Knicks is the defending champion, so I’d say all eyes will be on him.
NYSD: How can supporters learn more about MKTG INC?
Horsey: MKTG INC is an International marketing services agency that builds global, national and local communities around brands by engaging consumers through experiential, digital and social media. We have offices across the world, but we’re headquartered in New York so TopSpin’s support of local charities is really important to us. You can learn more at www.mktg.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.