By Oliver Muchmore | Assistant to the Executive Director
In November, PT&E Scholar Athletes, Coach/Tutors, and families had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the PowerShares Series Tennis: Champions Challenge in Portland. We sat up close as we watched USTA Foundation Chairman James Blake outplay his fellow pros Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Mark Philippoussis, in a series of exhibition matches. But, it wasn't just an opportunity for the Scholar Athletes get up close to top-level tennis. Led by Kirk Anderson, the USTA's Director of Coaching Education, 20 of our Scholar Athletes provided PowerShares attendees with a demonstration of the 10 & Under Clinic techniques that are shaping a new generation of tennis players. 12 of our middle and high school Scholar Athletes got in the game as well. Carefully selected and trained, these young men and women served at the event as ball people for the four pros during their matches.
Of course, tennis is our most spectacular activity at PT&E, but their involvement with our program provides youth with all sorts of opportunities--spectacles among them. In December, students from the Pacific University College of Optometry and Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation with KEX Kids Fund teamed up to visit PT&E and provide Scholar Athletes and their families with free eye exams and new eyeglasses. Academic achievement is at the core of our mission and something as simple as a pair of glasses can have a major impact on a student's school success.
And all these opportunities can be traced back to the support of donors like you--support that was overwhelmingly in evidence at our first ever fundraising gala - The First Annual Tennis Ball. It is fair to say that we *ahem* ACED it. And we know that with the support of donors like yourself it will not prove to be beginner's luck. The gala was packed with cherished members of our community from our Founder Ernest Hartzog to our newest Board members Roshelle Risenhoover and Greg Van Gasse, staff and volunteers past and present, proud graduates of the program, and many, many donors, all gathered there to celebrate Portland Tennis & Education's 20th anniversary.
Most of our donors are firmly established in adulthood, but it seems it is never too early to start. We are proud to share with you that our friend Ira is turning 13 this month and he let us know: "When I become thirteen, I will have a Bar Mitzvah, and part of that is completing a project that helps the environment or the community. I play and love tennis and want to support this after-school organization for my project." Until his birthday, Ira is lobbying family and friends to lend their support to Portland Tennis & Education.
We thank you for your generosity and would ask you to follow Ira's example: Whether or not you can donate more, please consider lending us something even more valuable, your voice. Let your friends know about us. Point them to our Global Giving page or thePortland Tennis & Education website. Get the word out.
A happy New Year and heartfelt thanks from everyone at PT&E!
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