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Support the growth of tennis in Virginia...
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MISSION STATEMENT
A not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(C)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that accepts gifts and contributions, either monetary or physical, for the purpose of making it affordable for youth 18 and under, regardless of cultural or ethnic background and who are in need of financial assistance, to participate in athletic and educational opportunities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and seek to develop tennis-playing, sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship skills.
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In order to support this mission, the Foundation, in addition to soliciting outright grants, has sponsored a variety of fund-raisers. In 2008 these have included: a clinic with Wayne Bryan at the Country Club of Virginia, a 4th of July event at Fairfax Racquet Club and multiple tennis events at the 5th Annual Asian Festival in Reston, VA.
The clinic at the Country Club of Virginia with Wayne Bryan, father of the world’s #1 ranked doubles team the Bryan Brothers, was a hit! Funds were raised to benefit inner-city tennis programming in the club’s hometown of Richmond. The funding has allowed for QuickStart equipment to be purchased and added to the programs offered to get kids 10 & under out on the courts and playing immediately!
The 4th of July “Rising Stars” Family Fun Day ended in a wonderful display of fireworks, viewed from the parking lot of Fairfax Racquet Club. The Virginia Tennis Foundation offered a Tennis Block Party along with food and entertainment provided by the Thai Tennis Organization of America. The event helped raise funds for “Rising Star Tennis”, a program to identify and develop junior multicultural players who have significant athletic potential with the goal of reaching a top USTA ranking.
In addition, monetary and material contributions, gifts or testamentary bequests to the Foundation are requested, all of which are tax deductible. As a result, gift-giving Virginians can now receive a tax benefit by supporting young Virginians through the Foundation.
In years past, three very deserving organizations have received monies from the Virginia Tennis Foundation: Joey’s Wheels, Apple Ridge Farm and Brenda Gilmore’s BlazeSports.
Joey, a high school student in Virginia, was the first athlete in the history of his local tennis conference to play tennis in a wheelchair. This was thanks in part to a grant from the Virginia Tennis Foundation and the support of local tennis enthusiasts and his teammates in Virginia. “Joey's Wheels” raised $3,000 for Joey’s competition wheelchair by the spring tennis season.
Apple Ridge Farm, located in Roanoke, VA, received funds from the Virginia Tennis Foundation for their after-school programs. Their primary mission is to provide outdoor and educational experiences for at-risk youth. The Apple Ridge tennis program is used as a vehicle for encouraging and enhancing self esteem and strengthening leadership skills which encourages academic success in all of the children who attend these programs.
The BlazeSports Club of Washington, DC and instructor Brenda Gilmore offer a wheelchair tennis program at the East Potomac Tennis Bubble. Students come from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC and funds to support the program have been provided in party by the Virginia Tennis Foundation.
If you would like to make a donation to the Virginia Tennis Foundation, please make checks payable to the "Virginia Tennis Foundation" and mail to USTA/VA Tennis at 3229 Brandon Avenue, SW Suite 6 Roanoke, VA 24018.
For more information about the Virginia Tennis Foundation, please contact Janine Underwood, USTA/Virginia Tennis Executive Director, at 540-982-5524 or janine@virginiatennis.com.
Thank you for your continued support. Raise a racquet!