On Giving Tuesday, it can feel hectic trying to figure out the best ways to give back. You want to make the most of the day and ensure you are contributing in a meaningful way and know that your contribution will really make a difference. Now is a great time to think about how you want to celebrate Giving Tuesday and prepare to get involved, especially to support your passion – tennis!
Giving Tuesday is a popular day to give back to many types of charities and organizations. While most associate this day with making a monetary donation, there are other actions, in addition to making a gift, you can take to show your support to the causes you are passionate about.
We’ve rounded up a list of five ideas for you to help make giving back to tennis easy:
Make plans with a friend to play tennis! Hit around at your local court and have some fun. Snap a pic and share it with us on social media by tagging us and using #GivingTuesday and #USTAMAS. Go one step further on Giving Tuesday and plan to sign up to play on a local league or join the fun in our low-pressure social tennis events. When you join us out on the courts you strengthen the fabric of the Mid-Atlantic tennis community.
Make a Gift!On Giving Tuesday, you’ll feel great giving a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section knowing it will support the growth of tennis in the Mid-Atlantic and help increase access to the sport for all people. Simply go online and make a tax-deductible donation. Need some motivation? Check out why this local tennis player chooses to donate.
Help Teach Tennis. USTA Mid-Atlantic delivers high-quality after school and summer camp tennis programs in our region. Our programs help kids learn tennis skills, build character, and give kids a healthy activity they can do for life! We’ve helped thousands of children learn tennis in these programs! Learn more about working with us and open opportunities.
Register for virtual BINGO with USTA Mid-Atlantic. Play for a chance to win BIG prizes and enjoy some friendly competition.
Spread the Word about Tennis. You follow us on all the major social media platforms, right? If not, then plan to give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On Giving Tuesday, an easy way you can show support is to share a social media post from us with your friends and encourage others to follow along!
Your support may mean that one more child gets the chance to learn tennis for the very first time. Your gift will directly impact the growth of tennis in the Section.
USTA Mid-Atlantic Section is a 501c3 non-profit on a mission to promote and develop the growth of tennis. We aim to make tennis the most accessible sport in the region. How will you show support on Giving Tuesday?
USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
A Testimonial to the Mid-Atlantic Junior Player Scholarship Program, from Mikeal C.
As a youth tennis player, Mikeal Carpenter had a vision for where he wanted to be and where he wanted his tennis game to go. He knew he wanted to eventually take his tennis talents into the collegiate level and hopefully progress from there. That is when he knew his route to get there involved tennis tournaments.
Carpenter was successful in what he set out to do. His journey as a junior in the Mid-Atlantic Section was notable. Carpenter ranked within the top 5 in the Section and the top 100 Nationally. In 2019, he won the B18s June Sectional and was a finalist in B18s at the 2019 Zimmerman/Johnson USTA National Tournament. Currently, his tennis journey continues as a freshman on the men’s tennis team at Morgan State University.
First, when asked how receiving a scholarship helped further his tennis game, Carpenter responded, “receiving a scholarship from USTA Mid-Atlantic helped me a lot because I was able to play more tournaments and improve my game to go to the next level.”
Since 2013, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Junior Player Scholarship has helped young tennis players and families cover expenses related to tennis. It helps take away some of the financial worries that some families have when it comes to buying tennis equipment and shoes or adding in a few more lessons to the schedule.
“My two main goals for the future of my tennis game is to graduate from college while playing tennis, and I also want to play on the professional level at Wimbledon someday,” Carpenter said.
Read below to learn why he believes it important for you to support the Scholarship program.
Show Your Support:
By supporting the Mid-Atlantic Junior Player Scholarship you can help more juniors in the Section achieve big goals like Mikeal. Expenses and access to tennis should not hinder any junior from being able to play the game they love.
“People should support the scholarship program because it helps players who didn’t have the opportunity to play [in] certain tournaments the ability to play,” Carpenter said. “It really helps someone in need.”
Overall, at USTA Mid-Atlantic, we believe that neither background, location, resources, nor ability should limit any child from learning the lifetime sport of tennis. That is why the USTA Mid-Atlantic Junior Player Scholarship was developed. It provides solutions that help all children get physically active through tennis.
USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
A Testimonial to the Mid-Atlantic Junior Scholarship Program, from Grace T.
When you make a gift to the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, a charitable non-profit organization, you are helping to give the gift of opportunity to children and youth players in the region. You give the opportunity to not only learn and love tennis but to help children explore opportunities for future success that come by playing the sport.
Specifically, when you give a gift, it can support the USTA Mid-Atlantic Junior Player Scholarship Program which helps cover tennis-related expenses for young players in need. Your gift helps real young people like Grace T., who received a scholarship from USTA Mid-Atlantic and had this to say about her award.
Read her responses below:
USTA Mid-Atlantic: What do you love about playing tennis?
Grace: I love tennis because I get to compete against various leveled players and also meet new people. Tennis has helped shape my character and helped me overcome physical, mental, social, and emotional challenges. I think tennis differs from other sports because it’s something that you could play forever. It’s a well-rounded sport and a high-impact activity; it requires endurance, quick movements, coordination, etc.
USTA Mid-Atlantic: After receiving a scholarship from USTA Mid-Atlantic, how has that enabled you to further your game or made an impact for you?
Grace: As a high-level player, receiving this scholarship helped defray the costs of travel expenses, tournament fees, and training.
USTA Mid-Atlantic: Why do you think people should support the Mid-Atlantic junior scholarship program?
Grace: People should support this program because it gives youth the chance to participate and learn the sport. As players improve and advance, they may face financial burdens with training, competing, or traveling.
USTA Mid-Atlantic: What is the biggest lesson you have learned from tennis that you take with you off the court?
Grace: Every tournament I’ve played is a learning experience and tennis has taught me many lessons along my journey. It teaches you about resilience, responsibility, and commitment.
Tennis has helped shape my character on and off the court and taught me to be ambitious. Tennis has allowed me to push through physical, mental, and emotional challenges I face during matches.
Above all, tennis is a way for me to stay engaged with the community and stay active.
There are many players in the Mid-Atlantic region just like Grace T., that need support to keep playing the game that they love. Right now, your gift can be the help that someone needs. Learn how below.
Make a tax-deductible donation and help young tennis players take their first tennis lesson or try their skills in a tournament. You can be the one that makes a difference and helps more kids gain access to tennis in a time when they need it most. Donate today!
USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
In the Mid-Atlantic, communities are beginning to cautiously reopen and with that comes the hopes for recovery, rebuilding, and a “new normal.” USTA Mid-Atlantic, a 501 (c)3 non-profit, believes tennis will be crucial to this process and to reconnect communities and people even while social distancing. In that spirit, we’ve recently launched the #ServeItForward campaign to generate support for tennis in the Mid-Atlantic as part of the recovery process and support our mission and vision for tennis in every community.
There are many ways to #ServeItForward with USTA Mid-Atlantic Section. One exciting opportunity is virtual wine tasting events we are calling “Taste of the Mid-Atlantic.”
Taste of the Mid-Atlantic
During these events, you get exclusive access to learn about and taste wines as if you were a special guest at the winery, but you get to do it from home. AND you are helping to #ServeItForward because a portion of the proceeds will be donated to USTA Mid-Atlantic to support our charitable tennis programs.
We’ve partnered with Doukenie Winery in Loudoun County, Va., for the first tasting event.
General Manager of Doukenie Winery, Sally Travis, is a member of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors and a USTA League player. We caught up with her to talk about the upcoming wine tasting event, tennis, and being involved with USTA Mid-Atlantic.
What drew you to tennis?
I dabbled a bit in High School and returned to tennis eight years ago when my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. I needed a recreational outlet as a distraction from what was happening in our lives.
I joined Ida Lee tennis center and took lessons. Then I started playing competitively and was recruited to play on a mixed doubles team in Montgomery County, Md. We went to the USTA League Nationals in Arizona!
Tennis was a lifesaver for me. Tennis creates lasting friendships and a sense of community.
How did you get involved with the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section?
A few years ago, Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro (Chief Executive Officer at USTA Mid-Atlantic) reached out to me to get involved and serve on the Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors. I served on that committee and then became the Chair.
Later, I inquired about getting even more involved and serving on the board.
I enjoy being on the board. I believe in the mission and getting more youth and families involved in the sport. The promotion of children and after school tennis programs are so important.
What do you admire about the work we do at the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section?
I admire the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section’s after school and youth tennis programs. They are such a great benefit to the community. I also admire the USTA League tennis program in the Section because it is a great way for adults to get involved, find exercise, and establish a community. It is a great outlet for anyone at any level.
What are your thoughts on how the community can move forward from the pandemic?
It’s a difficult time for everyone. Anything we can do together and collaborate to support both business and USTA Mid-Atlantic is great.
Let’s switch gears and talk about the Taste of the Mid-Atlantic event. What do you think people should know about Doukenie Winery? What makes it special?
Doukenie is a family-owned farm winery that welcomes families to enjoy our grounds while drinking our wine and we opened in 1995 by George and Nicki Bazaco.
George’s grandmother was named Doukenie and she told him to grow grapes, so that’s what he did! Doukenie Winery has 360 acres and 30 acres under vine. There are 16 wines on the menu and they are always releasing something different and trying new things.
If someone is new to wine, what would you tell them when trying wine?
I highly recommend that you try a full tasting at a winery, whenever given the opportunity.
Here at Doukenie we have seven wines on the tasting menu. Virginia has so many different varietals (wines made from a single grape variety) and there are so many different things wineries are able to do now with wines. Whether it is keeping reds in barrels longer or aging different whites that are in either stainless steel or oak barrels, there are so many ways to make the wine unique.
Top tips for a good tasting experience?
Everything is worth trying once. It’s all about what you feel about the wine, rather than what someone tells you. Ask questions to your wine tasting educator. Take a sip and see if you like it. When at a tasting, feel free to tell a wine educator what you like and don’t like, and they are sure to help you find something you will enjoy.
There is no right or wrong; it’s all about what you like and if you enjoy it. Wine is an experience and meant to be enjoyed.
What is your favorite part about Virginia wine?
In Virginia, we can grow so many varietals, and so we can make hybrids and many different blends. Because of where we are located, we are able to have a long growing season, and we have such an opportunity to grow so many types of grapes.
Doukenie Winery has 14 varietals on the property. Despite some of the frost this spring, 2020 looks to be another great year for Virginia wine!
What is the biggest myth you would like to debunk about Virginia wine?
If you haven’t tried it lately, try it because it is better than you remember!
What are the details about the upcoming event?
Join us Saturday, May 30th! If you haven’t RSVP’ed for the event, do so here! Curbside pickup is available for the wines featured in the event.
USTA Mid-Atlantic invites everyone to #ServeItForward both on and off-court, and get involved in helping to support tennis in the Mid-Atlantic Section as part of the recovery process we’ll all need. Learn more about how you can #ServeItForward and support the USTA Mid-Atlantic, a non-profit organization, as we bring the healing power of tennis to our Mid-Atlantic community.
This month, we talked with USTA Mid-Atlantic donor and volunteer Kathy Renzetti, CAE. Kathy is a member of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors and shared why she gives her time to tennis, the importance of sport in shaping lives, and why she donates.
Why are you involved with USTA Mid-Atlantic Section (USTA MAS)?
Kathy R.: I decided to get involved with USTA MAS because I was impressed with its mission of bringing tennis to everyone. The staff and volunteers really do take this to heart as they have seen first-hand how tennis can change lives. I am a firm believer in the use of sport to bring diverse communities together and USTA MAS is committed to reaching all communities, especially children, and introducing them to the game regardless of their background, zip code or ability to pay. USTA MAS looks for ways to break down barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to discover tennis.
What is something you wish people knew about USTA Mid-Atlantic?
Kathy R.: I wish people knew more about the incredible work USTA MAS does in the community for kids. USTA MAS is reaching more kids than ever through its after school program. It has brought tennis to schools where 100% of students qualify for free and reduced meals; they also provide financial support and scholarships for kids.
USTA MAS is truly committed to changing the face of tennis in the Section. I don’t think people are aware of that. I also don’t think they are aware that USTA MAS relies on donor support to make all of this happen. I know more and more people are getting involved and I love to see this happen because community support, especially philanthropic support, makes a huge impact and sparks transformative change.
Why do you choose to support USTA Mid-Atlantic?
Kathy R.: I choose to donate to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section because the organization is committed to bringing the game of tennis to youth in underserved communities. Just one example is the after school tennis program, which is supported by donors. The program experienced unprecedented growth and has had more than 15,000 youth participation since 2016.
I had the opportunity to attend a session. The staff was amazing and the kids were learning about the game, making friends, and having fun! It’s a game-changer.
What is it like being a volunteer for USTA Mid-Atlantic?
Kathy R.: I’m proud to be a board member of USTA MAS. We are trying hard to lead the way in the region – experiencing transformative change ourselves as a board. We want to change the face of the sport, especially among youth, and to break down barriers to access whether that be financial or by providing courts or safe places to play.
What would you tell someone that is thinking about donating to USTA Mid-Atlantic?
Kathy R.: I encourage people to learn more about USTA MAS – to talk to the coaches, volunteers, teachers, and players. It’s important to see for yourself how USTA MAS is making an impact in the region. Also, success is in the numbers. USTA MAS is very transparent about the use of donated dollars. Donors can feel confident that the money they invest in USTA MAS is truly making an impact.
It is through the love of tennis we can change lives together. You can help us continue to make tennis accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic Section, and help us deliver more after school and summer camp tennis programs to ALL children in our region. You can make a tax-deductible donation today!
USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, Inc. is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 54-1472806. All donations made to USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
