SD Newsletter Fall 2011 final.indd - USPTA divisions - United States ...

I have worked for many years establishing a relationship
with many of my members, so that when
worthy causes come up, I can communicate to the
members and ask for their help. We have a very
healthy Wounded Warrior Program here at Balboa
Tennis Club. The volunteers of the program all get
a great deal of satisfaction from helping out. Our
Wounded Warrior Program was the brainchild of a
therapist at the Balboa Naval Hospital.
Adopt A Unit, on the other hand, was the brainchild of
the USTA. The program caught my eye very quickly.
I loved the idea of doing something for the troops at
my end and having the USTA match the effort with
tennis racquets, mini-nets and transition balls. We
were given a list of care package items that were in
short supply overseas. I knew I could get my members
pumped up for this. I found out there were about
100 military units in Iraq and Afghanistan waiting to
be adopted. I decided to adopt three. Two large ones
and one small one. All in all, 260 service members.
I knew it would be a lot of work, but I knew I would
have the support of members and friends to get it
done. I was able to raise just under $3000. Four of
my key teenage volunteers and myself went out to
Target and spent a lot of the money in one afternoon.
Seven full shopping carts full of everything small and
useful that we could fi nd.
Other members and friends brought in stuff on their
own. I organized a care package stuffi ng party. We
had a chain gang of about 20 people. We decided to
get boxes that would hold 4 care packages each. The
post offi ce gives a discount for stuff going to troops.
Even with the discount, I spent close to $900 for shipping.
Fortunately, I was somewhat prepared for the
cost of shipping, so I didn’t go too much in the red.
I hope some of you will consider this program at
your club. I received many thank you cards and
emails from the troops. I will include one of the most
special ones below. Geoff Griffi n, USPTA, Balboa
Tennis Club
14
Adopt A Unit Program
by Geoff Griffi n
Mr. Griffi n,
Greetings from Kandahar!
I want to thank you for the special gift boxes that you
and your staff members had sent our Team here in the
Afghanistan Theater of Operations. You were so correct
in your attached letter that the "little things in life" really
do make a difference once we have been removed from
them as we are here.
continued on next page
THE ULTIMATE
KIDS CHALLENGE
is the
“Little Mo”
INTERNATIONAL
OPEN
Ages 7-12
Open to ANY PLAYER Worldwide
December 10-14, 2011
IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy
Bradenton, Florida USA
For More Info
Email:cartennis@aol.com
For ENTRY FORM go to
www.MCBTENNIS.ORG
Andy Roddick, former
“Little Mo” Champion 1992
*Please bring this photo to the tournament desk for a FREE PRIZE.
“Mini Mo” Internationals: December 16-19 at Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie, FL
(Boys and Girls ages 5-10 using 36'/60'/78' court and red/orange/green dot balls)
Open to any player worldwide Enter online: www.mcbtennis.org