Tennis Banquet Helps local Charities

End of the Tennis Season Banquet

What a fun way to end the tennis season.  Lunch, wine, lots of vendors for plenty of shopping, an amazing raffle that raised lots of money for great charities.  It's so much fun to get dressed up, looking sassy, and socialize with all of the ladies you have been playing against all season.  I do admit it is sometimes incredibly hard to recognize everyone when their hair is down, no sunglasses, no visor, high heel shoes and full face of makeup on.  I always have tons of fun and tons to say about ladies fashion on and off the court. ;)  hee hee!

My team volunteered to be in charge of the raffle for charity this year.  We had many wonderful prizes... Louie Vuitton bag, Michel Kors watch and hand bags, Coach braceletes, many many wine baskets, Plastic surgeons basket (lots of goodies included), restaurant baskets, money trees,  martini baskets, the list goes on and on.  Unfortunately,  my team did not win one single prize!  Bummer, but we did feel like winners anyway... we helped raise $7500.00 of donations that we decided to spilt  between two wonderful charities: IDignity and Nathaniel's Hope.  

IDiginity http://www.idignity.org/   

IDignity was created to help the disadvantaged in Central Florida overcome the difficulties of obtaining the personal identification that is crucial to enabling them to become self-sufficient. The need for such a program was recognized by members of five downtown churches who were unable to find a resource that provided such a service. The documents that IDignity provides are required to apply for employment or school, obtain access to most shelters, vote, seek help from many social service programs, open a bank account or cash a check, secure housing or overcome many other obstacles to becoming self-sufficient. IDignity is a program that has proven to be very organized and more successful than anyone’s expectations. The demand for these services has yet to ebb and it appears that it is likely to increase during these difficult economic times. 

and Nathaniel's Hope. http://www.nathanielshope.org/  

Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to sharing hope with kids with special needs (VIP kids) and their families.

This includes:

• Bringing hope and resources of encouragement to VIP kids and their families
• Providing practical assistance by offering free respite care for VIP kids
• Educating the community on how to be a Buddy to VIP kids and their families
• Equipping the community, especially churches, with opportunities, tools, training, and resources to reach out to VIP kids and their families
• Extending hope to VIP kids overseas
• Sharing hope with grieving families

(Kids with special needs are our VIPs. Buddies are friends of VIPs.) 

http://www.nathanielshope.org/about-us/nathaniels-story/

We raised much more than we expected.  It was a great day.  A great way to celebrate the end of another wonderful season, congratulate the winners and a great way to give back to the community at the same time. 

PS... my team finished second place this season.  Woot Woot!