Steve Chang
Calvin & Charis Kim
Hi! My name is Charis Kim. My dad Calvin and I share a passion for pickleball, and the joy it brings is undeniable. We were inspired to share this happiness with others. We heard about how our friend Steve Chang introduced pickleball to Palau, a beautiful island in Micronesia. Steve brought along six pickleball nets and 17 paddles, and the locals quickly embraced the sport, getting hooked in no time. This was huge as inactivity is a major problem on the islands.
In the world today, loneliness is an epidemic and inactivity is a global pandemic– both posing significant risks to mental and physical health, quality of life, and longevity. Pickleball offers a sustainable solution to address both challenges.
Learning about their enthusiasm confirmed our belief: Pickleball has the power to reach those who have never experienced it, especially in developing countries lacking resources. When we heard about Steve’s story, we said, “This is it,” and this is how Pickleball Joy got started!
Years ago, my dad helped organize a fitness boot camp in Guam to combat prevalent lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity among the residents. While successful, we realized the challenge of sustaining interest long-term. Fitness must be enjoyable to endure, and pickleball, with its inherent fun and accessibility across ages and skill levels, offers just that. Recently, we introduced pickleball to Chuuk Islands in Micronesia, where apart from older students playing basketball, recreational activities are limited for everyone else. The response was overwhelming, with both young and old embracing the game with enthusiasm.
Our goal goes beyond physical fitness—we aim to enhance lives mentally and emotionally as well. Pickleball, often hailed as the greatest social invention of the 21st century, fosters natural connections and combats loneliness, a growing concern worldwide. We see pickleball as an effective tool to build bridges within local communities and make a positive impact on lives wherever we go.
Charis Kim
President Pickleball Joy
“Life is short; invest in things that have a high return of smiles per hour!”
Our Mission
Introducing the joy and inherent blessings of pickleball to communities and developing countries where the sport is not yet known.
Our Vision
Our goal goes beyond physical fitness—we aim to enhance lives mentally and emotionally as well. Pickleball, often hailed as the greatest social invention of the 21st century, fosters natural connections and combats loneliness, a growing concern worldwide.