Did you catch Friends Austin on the air? Our Executive Director, Marilyn Manzo-Dawson, and Director of Development, Caroline Page Groves, recently joined Tierra Neubaum on an episode of "Tierra's Texas" for FOX 7 Austin to share more about The Big Pickle. 2026 marks the fourth year of our annual pickleball tournament for a great cause. FOX 7's Tierra Neubaum reported on the first Big Pickle in 2023, and we were thrilled to share more about the tournament again this year.

"The Big Pickle has really become a core community activity. People really enjoy it. It's a great way to support a community organization, be a part of a fundraiser, and have fun," Caroline shares. The funds raised at The Big Pickle provide crucial support for Friends Austin's mission, as Marilyn adds, "We focus on developing social skills, social emotional skills, life skills, and academic skills. These key indicators are proven to help catapult youth in the direction to break the cycle of generational poverty."

Watch the full segment here.

Read a recap of the 2026 Big Pickle tournament and view a gallery of photos at the link below!