Former Doubles Champion Tom Gullikson to Speak at Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation’s Sixth Annual Luncheon
$14,362 in Grants to Help Underserved Adults, Wheelchair Players, and Cancer Survivors to be presented at luncheon on Monday, September 12, 2011FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Novich
4 West Red Oak Lane
White Plains,
914-696-7290
novich@eastern.usta.com
09/07/11 - Mamaroneck, NY – Former Doubles Champion Tom Gullikson will be the keynote speaker at the Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation’s (EATF) Annual Luncheon in Mamaroneck on Sept. 12, where over $15,000 in grants will be given out to programs in New York and New Jersey that benefit a wide range of tennis players – from underserved seniors to developmentally disabled adults.
The grants, which total $14,362, will be awarded to 15 deserving member organizations of the United States Tennis Association’s Eastern Section. This was another historic year for the EATF: they increased their funding over 20 percent from last year.
“Tennis can benefit people of all ages and abilities,” EATF Chair Sharon Weiner said. “These grants are designed to help open doors for people who would not otherwise have a chance to enjoy this lifelong sport.”
Weiner said the group was fortunate to have Gullikson as the keynote speaker. Gullikson won 15 ATP doubles titles in his pro career, and won the US Open Mixed Doubles title in 1984. Gullikson also served as the captain of the US Davis Cup team, coach of the Olympic Men’s tennis team and Director of Coaching for USTA Player Development.
At the luncheon, the EATF will also honor Elaine Fier, a longtime USTA member who taught Physical Education in White Plains and coached tennis at New Rochelle High School and Iona College. Fier has also volunteered with Pet Rescue for the past five years, helping raise funds and providing foster care for rescued dogs until they find a permanent home.
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.
2011 Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation Grants:
New York:
Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (Rye Brook, NY): A $1,500 grant to teach tennis to adults with developmental disabilities.
Croton-Harmon Community Tennis Association (Croton-on-Hudson, NY): A $500 grant to support tennis programs for underserved adults.
Friendship Network/NCT (Port Chester, NY): A $500 grant to support tennis programs for adults with special and emotional needs.
Gilda’s Club of Westchester (White Plains, NY): A $1,500 grant to provide instruction to cancer survivors through its Wellness through Tennis program.
HERO, Inc (Purchase, NY): An $862 grant to help provide tennis to adults with multiple sclerosis.
Jawonio, Inc (New Hempstead, NY): A $750 grant to support tennis programs for wheelchair and developmentally disabled adults.
Jerry Alleyne Memorial Foundation (Greenburgh, NY): A $1,500 grant to expand adult tennis program.
Ossining Community Tennis Association (Ossining, NY): A $1,000 grant to expand tennis programs for diverse adult populations.
Queens Center for Progress (Queens, NY): A $1,000 grant to teach tennis to people with developmental disabilities.
Southeast Topspins (Brewster, NY): A $750 grant to expand its wheelchair tennis program.
Syracuse Senior Camp (Syracuse, NY): A $500 grant to support a senior tennis clinic.
Troy Tennis Association (Troy, NY): A $750 grant to expand senior tennis programs.
Upstate Cerebral Palsy (Utica, NY): A $1,000 grant to support a tennis program for people with disabilities.
Northern New Jersey:
Raritan Valley YMCA (East Brunswick, NJ): A $750 grant to support an instructional tennis program for adults and seniors with special needs.
Tennis for Life (Mahwah, NJ): A $1,500 grant to support tennis instruction for breast cancer survivors.
Event Date: 09/12/11
Event Title: Former Doubles Champion Tom Gullikson to Speak at Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation’s Sixth Annual Luncheon on Monday, September 12, 2011
Links:
http://eastern.usta.com
