Tennis Racquets For Kids is Winding Down

Tennis Racquets for Kids Inc. will be closing its doors this Spring. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping less fortunate children experience the game of tennis by providing them with tennis racquets. We will fulfill our promises to various groups, but we will no longer accept requests for donations. This has been an unbelievable eight year journey. Tennis Racquets for Kids Inc., was co-founded by Zachary H. Mintz, and Paige J. Mintz, out of their love for the game of tennis and their desire to help all children have an opportunity to experience the game of tennis. Their vision, leadership and effort were indispensable. They have been active with the organization throughout its tenure. Over the last few years, Rachel Mintz has served in various leadership roles. We have brought smiles and happiness to over a thousand children. Less fortunate children were given an opportunity to experience the game of tennis. Our success was made possible by the hundreds of benevolent adults and children from across the United States who donated their used tennis racquets to our organization. We are especially grateful to the individual children who collected some new, as well as used tennis racquets, as part of school or church drives, or as part of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects. We are also grateful to the individual children who donated their own racquets. The cost of running the organization became too great. This included the cost and time in re-stringing and regripping the racquets and shipping them around the country. We were never able to find a corporate sponsor and depended on individuals who donated their time. This was an organization for children who would not have had an opportunity to experience the game of tennis. Tennis Racquets for Kids was enthusiastically embraced by children and adults from across the United States, to bring happiness to others! For that we are grateful, and our mission was accomplished. We will never forget the hugs and the smiles. We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for the pictures and notes sent to us from families, schools and organizations who received tennis racquets. We would suggest that anyone with racquets to donate contact nearby schools, charter schools, local day camps, summer park programs or their local USTA chapter. There are thousands of children in this country who would love to have an opportunity to experience the game of tennis. Please do not forget them and carry on the spirit of giving. We thank all of you for donating For The Love of the Game!!! Tennis Racquets For Kids Inc.

Fundacion Aportemos Receives Help from Tennis Racquets for Kids

Efren Hernandez, founded Fundacion Aportemos, based in the city of Ensenada, Baja California Mexico. It is an organization which specializes in community work with underprivileged youth in local neighborhoods. The organization focuses on education; teaching kids a working skill or ability, that will enhance their human development and open up a new world of possibilities. The Arts and Crafts Department is well under way, with a well developed pottery workshop and another workshop with the goal of making purses out of recycled materials.

The Sports Department will soon be active, but currently there are two projects unfolding: soccer and tennis. For both activities, the Fundación is planning to use an existing sports complex in the area. The pilot program will take place in the district of El Sauzal. Realizing that the equipment for tennis is much more expensive than soccer, Efrén looked to Tennis Racquets for Kids, Inc. for some assistance.

We shipped 20 tennis racquets to Efrén at a designated California address. He will be working with groups of 5 to 10 kids at a time ranging from 7 to 15 years old. We applaud Efrén's efforts and we wish him luck on this community project.

Zachary & Paige

Sportime Embraces Tennis Racquets for Kids, Inc.

Sportime is the New York leader in sports and fitness. It features 14 clubs throughout Long Island, New York City, Randall's Island, Westchester, and the Capital Region upstate. Sportime offers numerous tennis programs for adults, juniors, and elite training at its tennis facilities. Sportime's philosophy of "Fitness for Life," matches the goals of Tennis Racquets for Kids, Inc. Every child should have the opportunity to experience the game of tennis and to have fun.

Sportime has generously produced tennis racquet collection boxes and will place these boxes in each of its facilities. The used tennis racquets are picked up by the non-profit tennis charity, Tennis Racquets for Kids, Inc. These racquets are then distributed to schools, organizations, and individuals in need.

Zachary and Paige Mintz, co-founders of the tennis charity, feel that this collaboration will make even more people aware of the need to help underprivileged children. Sportime has helped to create another visible forum which reminds people that they can help. Many of us have old racquets in the garage, basement, or shed. Junior players especially, change their racquets as they grow. These old racquets should not be disregarded. They hold worth for someone else. Recycling these racquets also prevents further accumulations at landfill sites.

One way that the organization gives out the racquets it has collected, is through free tennis clinics at community parks in locations where residents may not be able to afford to buy tennis racquets for their children.

We are grateful to Sportime and all of its facilities for helping to make dreams possible. We encourage people to "pay it forward" and donate for the Love of the Game!!

Prince Gives Back to New York City

Fun, Tennis and Celebrities, all courtesy of Prince. On August 30th, the day before the US Open, in collaboration with the City Parks Foundation, Prince Tennis put on an exhibition of top tennis professionals at the Central Park public courts. This was free, and open to the public. With the charismatic Wayne Bryan as the master of ceremonies, professionals such as Gael Monfils, Sam Querry, John Isner, Mike and Bob Bryan,and Stan Smith put on various exhibitions and drills. Seeing the Bryan brothers going in opposite directions while hitting paced volleys 70 consecutive times was unbelievable!! Having the players holding hands and playing points was another big favorite for the crowd. The players also got to show some of their personalities when Wayne invited them to dance to the music-it was tie between Monfils and Querrey for most latent talent. Famous coaches such as Paul Annacone were also there to offer their in put and expertise.

It was interesting to hear the various players talk about their Prince racquets. With the EXO3 technology allowing for better play. Prince also provided numerous tennis professionals to hit with the kids on the other courts. Besides a few pointers, the hundreds of children were able to get autographs, tee shirts, and to be close to some of their tennis idols. Speaking of idols, there was a live musical performance from American Idol season 7 finalist, Michael Johns. He is also a big tennis fan. He was really personable signing autographs and taking pictures with the children.

In a time of cutbacks, Prince once again led the way in giving back to the fans,especially the children, by helping support the City Parks Foundation, by providing this up close and personal event. We look forward to next years plans.

Tennis Racquets for Kids is a non profit tennis charity dedicated to providing racquets to underprivileged children and introducing the game of tennis to those children who would not have the opportunity to experience the game. We salute Prince and the City Parks Foundation for helping to further this effort!

Tennis Racquets For Kids Launches Press Release

Tennis Racquets for Kids- A non-profit organization dedicated to the distribution of donated tennis racquets to underprivileged children.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dr. Guy Mintz
Tennis Racquets For Kids
racquetsforkids@optonline.net

Do you have a collection of previously used tennis racquets that are collecting dust in your garage? Do you know of a child or group of children that have been unable to participate in the game of tennis due to economic restraints?

5/8/09 - Greenvale, NY - Tennis Racquets for Kids Inc. announces its non-profit organization dedicated to the distribution of previously owned tennis racquets to children who might otherwise be excluded from playing tennis due to financial constraints.

“Over the past few years we have switched the racquets we play with several times. After speaking with some of our friends we realized that we were not alone. We knew that we stumbled upon an opportunity to help other children get involved in the sport we were fortunate enough to be a part of” says Zachary Mintz, Co-Founder of Tennis Racquets for Kids.

“Tennis has enhanced our lives enormously, and we want to spread our love of the game to all children. By distributing new and used racquets from other players and sponsors, we will be helping other children realize their dreams of playing tennis.” says Paige Mintz, Co-Founder of Tennis Racquets for Kids.

The racquets come in all sizes, frames and grips. Children or organizations that qualify to receive donated racquets will fill out a form to ensure they are fitted for the right size racquet.

Donation box locations can be found on the Tennis Racquets for Kids website or arrangements can be made to ship the racquets directly to Tennis Racquets for Kids storage facility.

Tennis Racquets for Kids will reach out to local and national tennis organizations, governing bodies, tournament sponsors, schools, coaches and other entities to help facilitate the distribution of the donated racquets, and help make sure they get into the right hands.

The current economic crisis coupled with the rising obesity rates highlights the importance of charities that provide children of all economic levels with the tools to stay physically active.

About Tennis Racquets For Kids
Tennis Racquets for Kids Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the distribution of donated tennis racquets to individual children, or to organizations that represent children, in need of such racquets. Previously owned tennis racquets, which are often discarded, represent an exciting opportunity for children who might otherwise be excluded from playing tennis, due to economic restraints. The “recycling” of these racquets also contributes to the preservation of the environment

A website developed for kids by kids. Donate for the Love of the Game!

To learn more, visit website http://www.tennisracquetsforkids.com/ or check out the blog http://www.tennisracquetsforkids.blogspot.com/
See Full Press Release:

Long Island Tennis Magazine Features Tennis Racquets For Kids,Inc.

Long Island Tennis Magazine, featured Tennis Racquets for Kids Inc., in its charitable iniative section in the March/April edition. The magazine is designed to promote and develop the sport of tennis on every level in the community.

In the spirit of community, Tennis Racquets for Kids, was acknowledged for their dedication to provide every child an opportunity to play tennis. This non-profit, tennis charity was the brain child of twin high school tennis players, who realized that their outgrown racquets would provide a wonderful opportunity for children who could not afford their own tennis racquets. They realized that other tennis players would also have old racquets laying around that would be cherished by those who were less fortunate.

The concept has grown in the community, and has already extended to other parts of the nation. With the phrase, "Donate for the Love of the Game!", people have have come forward to donate their old racquets at local drop off sites, or shipped their racquets to the Tennis Racquets For Kids Inc., directly. Tennis Centers are also getting involved. Temples and churches have collected racquets to support this tennis charity.

Even in these difficult times, people have opened their hearts and realized this opportunity to start to make the world a better place. Think of the impact that could be created if every tennis center, every tennis pro, every recreational or serious tennis player, and industry, would take a moment and realize this great opportunity.

We hope that we can all take a moment to " Donate For the Love of the Game" To bring smiles to children, and to bring families together!!

Tennis Brings Smiles to Those Less Fortunate

Anna Kournikova recently visited Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Where there is poverty, there is often more misfortune; suffering population that deals with diseases, illiteracy, lack of sewage, waste management and water purification systems, and on top of that nature’s destruction in the form of seasonal hurricanes. Kournikova was asked by the PSI (Population Services International Group) to join them on this trip’s initiative of fighting AIDS and working alongside like programs. These services target kids ages 5 and under and their families by educating them on diseases like malaria, malnutrition, diarrhea and AIDS. Education is also provided on preventing these terrible diseases. “It’s been extremely difficult to try to describe and express what I saw while I was there,” says Kournikova in her blog. Kournikova met with local families and kids and watched the programs tasks unfold and even got to distribute malaria nets to villagers living in huts. “It was completely and devastatingly humbling to experience it all and it will certainly be something that stays with me. This trip made a huge impact on my life, both mentally and emotionally. I’m very thankful and honored that I was able to hear so many personal stories. I am grateful to so many of the kind Haitian people that opened up to a stranger and shared their thoughts and feelings with me,” confesses Anna Kournikova. The real question is who does Anna’s visit help more? Although her blog raises awareness for the awful conditions in Haiti, can a celebrity's visit make the poverty ridden villagers feel any better,and change these horrific conditions. Anna’s probably fully sponsored trip didn’t help to feed an extra family on the 5$ a day budget she describes. It’s really nice to see celebrities doing great charitable things, but sometimes it gets controversial when great charities rely on celebrities to raise everyone else’s awareness. So yes, it may be hard to encourage the 60% under 24 yr old population of Haiti to attend these PSI clinics and educational speeches without attracting them by putting on volleyball games, popular music and the presence of blonde beauties like Anna, but that sounds like a one time event rather than a constant commitment. It also doesn’t help that Anna is sporting her K-Swiss contract gear while posing with the kids.It is not enough to talk about these problems, but action is required to evoke change. Her sponsors should send financial help to the people she visited. Anna could use her website to encourage her fans to contribute to the cause. These things would certainly help. Her visit to bring awareness is just the first step. It would truly be great if she took the next step.Tennis Racquets For Kids, a tennis charity, is encouaged by efforts like this. We can only hope that efforts like this represents the beginning of a greater goal of helping all people.

Check out the links of these important sites:

http://www.psi.org/http://www.fiveandalive.org/http://www.youthaids.org/

Happy Holidays

The holidays are a special time for all. We enjoy being with family and friends. Sharing stories, laughter, hugs and kisses--Priceless!!!!
Tennis Racquets For Kids is grateful to all of the people, especially the children,who continue to want to bring happiness to those less fortunate. Thank you for supporting our cause. We wish all A Happy and Healthy New Year!!
If you have any questions regarding the charity, or how to donate tennis racquets, visit TennisRacquetsforKids.org

Tennis Charity Distributes Fliers

Today, Paige and Zachary, Co-Presidents of Tennis Racquets for Kids, Inc. gave out fliers to fans outside the U.S. Open. Everyone was enthusiastic about the new charity and about doing something constructive to help others and recycle racquets to preserve the environment as well. We hope that collecting used Head, Wilson, Babolat, Prince, Yonex, and other brands of tenis racquets will provide the opportunity for other children to play tennis.