LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville nonprofit took a swing at helping visually impaired children through the game of pickleball. 

A weekend tournament raised money for Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS). The fundraiser is critical to the organization's success, and about 200 players came out to support VIPS and its nearly 800 students.

“We won; it was a real tight match, 16-14," said Arielle Nealy, a player in the tournament. "We were fighting for third, so now we're moving on to try to get to the (semifinals) and then, hopefully, we're hoping for gold." 

Nealy played tennis at the University of Louisville, but this weekend was just her second time playing pickleball. 

“Tennis translates a lot in certain ways; other things hinder a little bit ... but the backhand, the drives, volleys, they transfer really well, so I’m grateful for that,” she said.

Nealy won women’s gold Aug. 17 and was playing mixed doubles with her friend Landon Snyder the next day in hopes of another medal.

The money raised from the tournament will go to teachers helping parents of visually impaired children learn how to teach their child before school.

“We can get people to buy things, but it's hard to get support for salaries," said Diane Nelson, executive director of Visually Impaired Preschool Services. "So what happens with these fundraisers is they're funding the most important part of our work, and that's sending the teachers to the home." 

VIPS is one of Kentucky’s only full-time preschools for children with blindness or low vision, and it serves all 120 counties in the commonwealth.

“I understand that it's crucial to have organizations like these nonprofits supporting those who are not only disabled but just impaired in various ways," Nealy said. "It was a great cause, and I wanted to come out and represent." 

The tournament will be back in 2025 for its fifth annual fundraiser. VIPS is also taking donations on its website.