Monica Hicks

In July of 2017 wife and mother of three, Monica Aguilar Hicks was informed that her husband Leo had AML, an aggressive form of Leukemia. Leo’s only chance of survival would be through a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. After receiving a stem cell transplant Leo vowed that when he beat AML he would pay it forward by sharing his story and raising awareness for the Be the Match bone marrow registry. Leo fought like a warrior however 14 months later he lost the battle, Monica knew one day she would pay it forward in his honor. Three years later the seed for Dink for Cause was planted.

Monica was born and raised in northern California. Her parents were both born in Mexico and moved to the United States in hopes to one day provide a better life for their future family.

Monica met her husband Leo in 1998. They soon married and moved abroad living in Ireland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. They eventually settled in the midwest and started a family. In 2013 they moved to southern California.

Monica volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was PTA treasurer, and while attending college she tutored children of migrant workers who traveled through different regions of California throughout the school year. Monica is currently on the Board of Ambassadors for the Be the Match foundation. She is also an avid runner who finds much joy in training for half marathons and has found a new joy and passion in pickleball!

Mitra Sushinsky

Mitra Has worked as a researcher, scientist, teacher, and a mom since graduating with a masters degree in chemistry in 2001. Currently, she is a part time faculty at the College of the Canyons. However, she has always found time for philanthropy. She was a volunteer for Chicago Cares, a community program serving youth in the south and west side of Chicago. Later, she volunteered for North County Lifeline, tutoring underprivileged students. She has organized several teddy bear drives in her community for the local hospital and served as a PTA board member for many years. She co-founded Dink For Cause in 2022. It combines her favorite sport with her drive to give back. Dink For Cause is a perfect platform to support many charitable organizations and give back to the community. She is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps, who at the age of 90 years old still works and operates an interest free bank for the needy in her home country of Iran.

Our Mission

We strive to raise money and awareness for various charities and nonprofits through hosting pickleball events and tournaments, bringing communities together and helping others one dink at a time.

How You Can Help

A nonprofit is as strong as the community that holds it up. Together, we can do more than we can do alone. There are many ways to join us and support our mission.Thank you for your support!