TRFK, Inc. Helps Start Tennis Program in Highland Falls, NY

Thirty racquets were donated to Pam Deans who is the coach of the boys and girls varsity tennis teams at James I. O'Neil High School in Highland Falls, NY. Highland Falls is located just outside of West Point. The community has a unique situation since 93% of its land is owned by West Point, which is government property, and hence only 7% of the land in the school district is taxable. The Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery School District always struggles with federal funding issues. The budget was voted down last academic year due to a 13% tax increase, and the tennis program was cut from the school budget. Fortunately, since there were many dedicated team members and parents, fundraising efforts resulted in getting the program reinstated for the year. A subsequent budget did pass, and the tennis program for this upcoming school year was reinstated. Many of the families in the school district are low income and there are approximately 21% of the students that are eligible for free and reduced lunches. So, there are many students who work hard to earn college scholarships to assist them with their college education, through academics as well as through sports programs.

Pam feels that it is important for staff and parents to continue efforts so that athletes can participate and achieve their goals. She is setting up a program for both the elementary and intermediate school, to promote tennis in the physical education classes. She will also be conducting an afterschool program one day a week at the elementary school to introduce students to tennis and to encourage them to participate in a healthy activity. Kudos to Pam for being a student and community advocate!!

Tennis Racquets Donated to Kenya

Twenty racquets were donated to Craig Bell, the tennis director at the Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, TX. Craig coordinated a collection of tennis equipment to send to the Victoria Tennis Programmes and Academy-Kenya. This is a community project, which is run by the Amani Na Upendo Development Group, a community-based charitable organization aimed at promoting sports (mostly tennis) and education among disadvantaged children from poor backgrounds. TRFK, Inc. was originally contacted about this endeavor by Collins Agwanda from Kisumu.