A Sunday Filled With Purpose
When people walked into Sportime Englewood on Sept. 14, the energy was instantly different—bright, buzzing and unexpectedly tender. More than 100 supporters arrived ready to play, cheer and connect, but beneath the fun was an undeniable sense of shared purpose.
The inaugural Dink for a Difference Pickleball Tournament, benefitting Comfort Cases, quickly became more than a friendly afternoon of matches. It transformed into a gathering where community and compassion intersected in the most genuine way.
Leading the charge on the courts were Katherine and Emily Cho, twin teenage pickleball players who have been turning heads in competitive circles for the past two years. Though still in high school, they stepped into the role of junior ambassadors with maturity far beyond their years. They spent the afternoon cheering on players, offering tips between matches and rallying with adults who joked that returning even one of their shots felt like a personal victory.
The Heart of the Day: When Rob Spoke
The most emotional moment didn’t happen on the court.
It came when Comfort Cases founder and CEO Rob Scheer stepped forward to speak. The crowd instinctively grew quiet as he shared his story.
Scheer entered foster care at age 12 and aged out at 18. He spent his high school years homeless. He remembers, vividly, being handed a trash bag to hold his belongings—a moment that stayed with him and ultimately led to the creation of Comfort Cases decades later.
He also spoke about his children, all adopted through foster care, with tenderness that moved the room. Though they live in Maryland and were not present at the tournament, Scheer described how each carries a story of resilience. As he spoke, attendees wiped tears, held hands and listened with the kind of attention only a story from the heart can command.
“Dink for a Difference was more than a tournament—it was a reminder of what happens when good humans come together with purpose,” Scheer said. “The energy on those courts, the conversations, the connections… It showed all of us that Bergen County is a community that truly shows up for its kids. We met incredible people who care deeply about making sure no child enters foster care with a trash bag, and I believe this is just the beginning. Thanks to everyone who picked up a paddle, we didn’t just raise funds—we built a movement. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next together.”
It became the emotional core of the day—the moment everyone kept talking about long after the final match ended.
Where Community and Compassion Meet
Co-chairs Paula Southren and Aimee Berger brought the day to life with leadership, warmth and a clear vision. Their goal was simple: make philanthropy feel personal, joyful and human. And that’s exactly what happened.
Katherine and Emily Cho inspired players of all ages, while Scheer inspired everyone who listened. Businesses showed up in force, families and friends made memories, and most importantly, children in foster care will feel the ripple effect.
The Heart of the Afternoon
Midway through the tournament, players stepped away from the courts and gathered around long tables stacked with blankets, pajamas, toiletries, books and stuffed animals. Within minutes, the atmosphere shifted from competitive to collective.
Side by side, strangers packed Comfort Cases for children entering foster care—backpacks filled with essentials that say, You matter. You’re cared for. You belong. It was philanthropy at its most tangible.
Those completed cases were delivered directly to Bergen County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), keeping the impact local and immediate. Many attendees said this moment, more than any rally or point scored, was the emotional center of the day.
By the time the final matches wrapped, more than $20,000 had been raised through sponsors and registrations. But ask anyone who was there, and they’ll tell you: the true impact wasn’t measured in dollars. It was measured in heart.
Comfort Wasn’t Just the Mission—It Was the Mood
Beyond the matches and cheering, it was the thoughtful details—textures, tastes, conversations and small acts of care—that created the event’s unmistakably welcoming atmosphere. The day reflected the heart of Comfort Cases: providing dignity, ease and belonging for children who often go without those things. Guests felt that intention in everything from the food to the swag bags to the simple joy of being together.
These details weren’t decorative. They created comfort. And when people feel comfortable, they connect more deeply. Dink for a Difference succeeded because it was felt, shared and loved. It raised the bar for what community-driven philanthropy can be.
Meet the Sponsors Who Made It Happen
Title Sponsor
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EmpireCLS—Founder Michelle Seelinger didn’t just support the event—she played, volunteered and modeled hands-on leadership.
Gold Sponsor
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Englewood Orthopedic Associates—Outfitted every participant with paddle bags, towels and hydration boosters.
Silver Sponsors
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Compass Real Estate, Ridgewood—Led by Maryanne Elsaesser.
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The Goddard School of Ramsey—Owners Matt and Bill Kim supported and played.
Bronze Sponsors
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Moorlow—Pickleball apparel with purpose; a portion of every sale supports brain health.
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AMSkier Insurance—Jeff and Sari Skier brought generosity and competitive spirit.
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Max France—Meaningful support from Ferne and Bill Berger.
Community & In-Kind Partners
Threes A Party Design • L’Insolent Coffee • Bartolomeo’s • B&M Meat Market • Nothing Bundt Cakes • Luna Crescent Nails • Bergen Coffee Roasters • Holbrook Paddles • Real Nutrition • Complete Luxury • The Flow Salon • Pvolve • La Gondola • Mustkies • Soma Café • ShopRite
Comfort Cases—A Mission Rooted in Dignity
Comfort Cases began with a painful memory that never left Rob Scheer: a social worker handing him a trash bag to pack his belongings when he entered foster care. No child should feel disposable. That belief became a mission.
Each Comfort Case includes pajamas, toiletries, a blanket, a stuffed animal, a book and personal-care items—small things that collectively say, You matter.
More than 250,000 Comfort Cases have now been distributed nationwide.
At Dink for a Difference, players lived the mission by assembling kits with their own hands, and those cases went straight to Bergen County CASA, making the impact immediate and personal.