I want to talk this month about something that is very near and dear to my heart, Raise A Racquet. This Foundation is the 501(C) 3 portion of USTA Kentucky and provides charitable good works to the Kentucky tennis community. I have had the privilege of serving on the committee that provides these grant monies to deserving juniors and adults in Kentucky. I cannot begin to tell you how important this Foundation is to our state. In 2015, Raise A Racquet awarded $3,000.00 in educational scholarships to Kentucky High School seniors through the Jason Isaacs Memorial Fund and over $5,000.00 in grant monies were awarded to Kentucky Junior players. For 2016, similar grants have been awarded along with monies to purchase a tennis wheelchair. I was at the Creason Tennis Tournament in 2014 selling raffle tickets to raise funds for Raise A Racquet. I sold several tickets to a couple whose child was playing. They were so supportive and grateful of the Foundation as they had been in need after the recession of 2009 and the grant monies from Raise A Racquet had allowed their children to continue playing the sport they loved. Now, they were in a position to give back! In order to reach out to more tennis players in need across the state and make a difference in the Kentucky Tennis Community, we need you to make a tax-deductible contribution today. You can donate online now.
We also need to spread the word around the state that these grant monies are available. For deserving Kentucky Juniors to request need-based assistance, please click and complete the application. For other funding, contact USTA Kentucky to submit a formal request, stating the purpose, how funding will be used, and support documents for amounts requested. We want to make sure that everyone in Kentucky has an opportunity to play the sport we love. I also, have a dream that one day we will be able to raise enough monies for Raise A Racquet to become a self- perpetuating financial entity funding projects across Kentucky benefiting tennis communities and players of all ages and abilities. USTA Kentucky, the Raise A Racquet Foundation and your President want to give a big heartfelt THANK YOU to our Raise A Racquet contributors! It is because of your kindness and generosity the Endowment Fund is able to do so many wonderful things for Kentucky tennis. You make a HUGE impact in the lives of so many through your charitable donations and we cannot thank you enough.
Dell
Dell K Kelly
USTA KY President
“Tennis…It All Matters!”