PC and Rye Brook Organizations Win Grants from Tennis Foundation

Port Chester and Rye Brook organizations received grants from The Easter Adult Tennis Foundation (EATF) last week, according to an EATF press release. At the group’s annual luncheon, more than $18,000 in grants were

awarded to programs in New York and New Jersey that benefit a wide range of tennis players – from underserved seniors to developmentally disabled adults. Port Chester’s Friendship Network for adults with special needs, won the Ron Rebhuhn Grant and Rye Brook’s Friends of Cerebral Palsy won a $1,500 EATF grant.

 Here is more from the EATF press release:

 WTA Champion Lindsay Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam champion, spoke at the luncheon and played tennis with attendees, which saw record turnout and the highest amount of funding raised for the foundation since its start.

The grants were awarded to 18 deserving member organizations of the United States Tennis Association’s Eastern Section with $18,760 donated over the course of the year. 

In addition, EATF raised over $6,000 more for 2014 grants through a live auction held during the annual luncheon, including a trip to Wimbledon.

 President and chairman of EATF Whitney Thompson said, "We had a beautiful event and we hope to continue to grow this event yearly and continue to make an impact on the lives of tennis fans and players."

 "This is a great way to provide adults with something positive," she continued about the 18 grants awarded in 2013. 

In addition to the live auction, tennis playing and address by Davenport, the EATF added a fashion show sponsored by Sportech for clothing and jewelry by Love by Hazel. A percentage of proceeds from sales of the items went to the foundation.

 At the luncheon, the EATF also honored one of Sharon Weiner, a former chair of the foundation. "She has so much passion for tennis and compassion as a person," said Thompson, who also mentioned Weiner’s extensive volunteering in the sport. "She has been an integral part of the EATF and ran the committee and the event for five years."

The EATF was founded in 2004 and provides grants to member organizations of the United States Tennis Association’s Eastern Section, which encompasses New York, Northern New Jersey and Southern Connecticut.

 2013 Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation Grants

Adaptive Tennis for Adults (Northern)- Tennis program for adults with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (Southern)- Tennis program for adults with Cerebral Palsy

 Croton Harmon CTA (Southern)- Adult tennis programs for underserved adults

Help Expand Recreation Opportunities (HERO) (Southern)- Search for Change for adults 

Jawanio (Southern)- Tennis programs for wheelchair and developmentally disabled adults

Jerry Alleyne Memorial Foundation (Southern)- Tennis programs for adults and seniors in Mt. Vernon

 New York Tennis Association (Metro)- To provide tennis opportunities for underserved African American adults 

Outdoor Recreation for People of all Abilities (Northern)- Tennis programs for individuals living with Cerebral Palsy

Queens Center for Progress (LI-Metro)- Adaptive Tennis for adults

Raritan Valley YMCA (New Jersey)- Instructional tennis program for adults and seniors with special needs 

Troy Tennis Association (Northern)- Expansion of senior tennis programs in Prospect Park

Summit Tennis Association (New Jersey)- Tennis for seniors 70 and over

 Town of Hamburg (Western)- Programs for underserved adults

 Wheelchair Tennis Program at NTC (Metro)- Adult program

Young Adult Adaptive Tennis (Northern)- New tennis program for adults

 Barbara Schwartz Endowed Grant:

Gilda’s Club of Westchester (Southern)- Wellness Through Tennis Program for adults living with cancer

 Maita Blume Grant:

Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation (New Jersey)- Tennis for Life, A tennis program for breast cancer survivors

 Ron Rebhuhn Grant:

Friendship Network (Metro)- Tennis programs for adults with special needs