USTA Florida staff stopped by Waller Elementary, who was continuing to recover from Hurricane Michael, to drop off equipment from USTA Florida & the USTA Florida Section Foundation. The school lost all of their tennis equipment for PE classes during the storm when their storage building was destroyed. Mr. Black talked to us about the experience and how this equipment will help restore his class activities & fun for students who are returning home to challenges in the aftermath of the storm.
25 Grants
Grants given to various YMCAs totaling $41,758.23
196 Grants
given to after school programs totaling $274,060.99
Marc Pulver
Athlete
I have a passion for tennis and I want to be a coach for Special Olympics athletes. I feel like I can help others living with autism.…
$1.7M Awarded
Over $1,766,000 total dollars awarded from 2005-2020
Jessica Flynn
Director of Foundation Relations, Special Olympics Florida
Thanks to USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Section Foundation for their support of our athletes. This adaptive tennis equipment is going to go a long way.…
Amy McCully
Jewish Community Center
The JCC, its kids, and their parents have all expressed their gratitude in finally having a quality recreational program for the kids in the area. The kids and parents are loving that their kids are improving in their tennis skills, while the program also focuses on the character of the child.…
8 Grants
awarded to the Malivai Washington Youth Foundation between 2011-2018, totaling $43,318.88
Janet Raney
Southwestern Middle School
This grant program has been a life-saver for Tiger Tennis. There is no way that I could provide the activities for the children without the support of the grant. I can get some donations, but not the amount that is needed to provide the equipment so that every child can have a tennis racquet to use and tennis balls to hit. Thank you!…
Bryan Shelton
University of Florida Head Men’s Tennis Coach
Aces in Motion is truly making a difference in the Gainesville community. To see at-risk kids lives enriched in a positive way has also brought our entire tennis community together. (Wesley participates in the Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association’s Aces in Motion program that offers disadvantaged children the opportunity to learn and play tennis and teaches life skills on and off the court.)…
Ruth Lyle
PE Teacher, Sealey Elementary School
The students were really engaged in the tennis activities which really cut down on any disruptive behaviors because they did not want to miss out on tennis. The students really looked forward to doing the activities and the older students that participated in the lessons using the Tennis Skillastics had a great time as it was something different for them. They enjoyed it so much that I also purchased the…
23 Grants
grants given to adaptive programs for Special Olympics-related and totaled $17,805.03
Keonna Perry
Participant of the Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association’s Aces in Motion Tennis Outreach Program for at-risk children
I started playing tennis in fifth grade after attending an after school program funded by the USTA Florida Foundation. I continued to play in middle school where my coaches told me that they are here to make me a better tennis player but, more importantly, a better person. They not only coach tennis but they also encourage me to focus on achieving my dream of becoming an athletic trainer.…
9 Grants
awarded to GACTA totaling $52,854.40 between 2010-2018
Tim O’Donnell
Sopchoppy Educational Center
Some said, "I never imagined I could compete with some of the athletic students in any sport. Winning a tennis match against them is something I will never forget." The grant provided by the USTA to Sopchoppy Education Center has provided a life changing opportunity to many students at our school. Youth that never considered playing tennis, or had the opportunity to do so, now express enthusiasm and constantly ask,…
Nancy Grow
Mother of Downs Syndrome athlete; Tennis for Fun
You just don't want to be anywhere else on Friday other than tennis.…
JR Harding
External Affairs, Agency for Persons with Disabilities
People with disabilities want to learn to play tennis just like everyone else. Now that there is tennis equipment available at Rish Park, people with disabilities have the opportunity to play tennis, learn how to be part of a team, and maintain a level of fitness through an active lifestyle… your grant will be able to bring an active sport to those who have been living on the sidelines.…
91 Grants
given to schools totaling $284,842.02
Dave Scheck
Program Director, Highlands County Family YMCA
One participant named Katie was overheard saying how much she enjoyed playing tennis and how she looked forward to attending our Afterschool Program because we played a lot of tennis. We have parents explain to us how their children want to play tennis outside the walls of the YMCA and how they think they will play tennis when they get to High School. What you guys do is a wonderful…
Cybil Pulver
Marc's Mother
Marc always felt that autism is just a roadblock…He feels he can accomplish anything he wants. (Marc Pulver, 57 years old Special Olympics athlete started his training for tennis when he was 16 years old because he has a passion for the game of tennis, especially for other Special Olympic athletes. )…
56 Grants
given to adaptive programs totaling $121,928.81
MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation
The USTA Florida Section Foundation’s grants have truly made an impact on the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation programs over the past two years. Through the generosity of USTA Florida and the Foundation, MWKF was able to expand our 10U Junior Team Tennis programs to nearly 200 youth playing in match play at least twice a month. It is awesome to hear the kids talk about their ‘teams’ and their upcoming…
Ken Anderson
Father of Downs Syndrome athlete; Tennis for Fun
A lot of these young adults and children don't have a chance to really do a lot of activities unless somebody's there to guide them. To have a program like this is fantastic if for no other reason than people loving other people.…
17 Grants
given to the Boys & Girls Clubs totaling $18,971.36
758 Grants
awarded from 2010-October 2018
Ramon Echeverria
Principal, Fellsmere Elementary School
I am very happy and grateful to the USTA Florida Section Foundation for considering our city and for providing funds to retrieve this field. Our children and their families now have the opportunity to be active and live a healthier life.…