On the 31th of May Lighthouse Arena brought together basketball and sports enthusiasts, who not only played sports together, but also contributed to a noble cause. The traditional event of kindness PARA-TONAS this year united as many as five partners: Švyturys arena, Klaipėda pool, Akropolis ice, GG arena and Padelis house, which joined for the first time. In total, the sports community raised an impressive amount of 8548 euros, which will go to the Home for Children with Developmental Disabilities.
Exercise and donate – this is the motto of PARA-TON., which inspired athletes and sports enthusiasts in all five venues: from basketball at Švyturys Arena to swimming in the pool, ice skating or padel on the court. This year's event was full of innovations: Švyturys Arena not only opened its doors to hourly basketball court rentals, but also organized family free throw and sniper competitions.
Various groups contributed to the initiative at the Lighthouse Arena – from private companies of friends to companies such as Sigmaris Group, Husline, Sommarnojen, Lavango ir DFDS Seaways. A special contribution was made by V. Knašius Basketball School, which involved its basketball community in participating in PARA-TONE, organized a S. Kaupis memorial tournament, which was won by the school's students. During the community celebration, V. Knašius Basketball School opening of the outdoor basketball court. As Klaipėda City Mayor Arvydas Vaitkus, who visited the celebration, said: "This is the best money spent from the city budget. I wish that this new court, although it is a small sports infrastructure unit, will not only create new sports acquaintances and friendships, but also grow Klaipėda, Lithuanian, and maybe World champions."
As always, the Lighthouse Arena was supported by comrades during the PARA-THON – Basketball club "Neptūnas", who contributed to the organization of the sniper competition. The club awarded prizes to the finalists and winners: season tickets, balls with players' autographs, T-shirts and other paraphernalia. As stated by the basketball club "Neptune" Director Martynas Mažeika, “We always welcome such sports and kindness initiatives very positively. This is also important for the city community.” Club player Zane Waterman also participated in the sniper competition. However, the winner of the sniper competition was Vaidotas Pečiukas, deputy director of the V. Knašius Basketball School, and Aron and Darius Stonkai triumphed in the family free throw competition.
The success of the event is unimaginable without helpers – the host JOE, photographers PHOTOART and New York, gift bag suppliers "Box me”, healthy snack partners ""Taste it easy", advertising production professionals "Printed”, action-packed "Action by Apollo”, the most visited in Lithuania Maritime Museum and Dolphinarium and Lighthouse Arena the cool neighbors of Klaipėda basin.
"We are pleased that this year's PARA-TONAS attracted so many people of good will who enjoy sports. Every euro raised at this event will go to those who need it most," said Aida Aleksandrovienė, director of Švyturys Arena.
Jūratė Girčienė, interim head of the Home for Developmentally Disturbed Infants, thanked for the support:
"The PARA-THON of Kindness is taking place for the third year in a row. We thank everyone for their great work in organizing this significant support event. Your generosity and support will contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of our wards by purchasing necessary rehabilitation equipment or tools."
Statistics of funds raised by PARA-TON:
In 2023, the first PARA-TON raised 4297 Eur (Klaipėda swimming pool and Švyturys arena).
2024 – 4790,03 Eur (Lighthouse Arena, Klaipėda Swimming Pool, AKROPOLIS, GG ARENA and Gedminai Progymnasium).
2025 – record amount - 8548 Eur (Lighthouse Arena, Klaipėda Pool, AKROPOLIS, GG Arena and Padelius House). All funds are donated to the Klaipėda Home for Developmentally Disturbed Infants.
