Julie Thu

We are excited to announce that the Taylor Area Tennis Association in Taylor, TX is a recipient of one of our 2024 Community Grants. This organization is dedicated to promoting tennis to everyone, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. With a special focus on providing accessible tennis programming to underprivileged communities, they have already made a significant impact by hosting multiple yearly play days that offer free tennis instruction, equipment, and food to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

This year, the grant will help fund an exciting new initiative: the Pink Out Play Day, which will bring mothers, daughters, grandmothers, nieces, and other female family members together to experience tennis as a shared, lifelong activity. The goal is to introduce these women to the fundamentals of tennis while also celebrating the important contributions that women have made to the sport. Participants will learn foundational tennis skills, using red balls to ensure a smoother learning curve, and will have the opportunity to bond with family members in a positive and empowering environment.

The Pink Out Play Day will be an innovative and impactful addition to the organization's ongoing programming. The event will provide free rackets and food for all participants, ensuring that no one is left out due to financial barriers. In addition to tennis instruction, the event will focus on the values of teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving, fostering a sense of community among all involved. Coaches and female leaders from the community will also be invited to support the event, further reinforcing the importance of mentorship and the role women can play in shaping the next generation of athletes.

In Taylor, TX, where over 80% of students qualify for free lunch, programming like this is essential to bridging the gap for youth who might not otherwise have access to tennis. This initiative will not only introduce young girls to a new sport but also help them develop skills that will benefit them both on and off the court. We are excited to see how this event will positively impact the participants and strengthen the local community, and we look forward to supporting the organization as they bring this vision to life in March 2025.

The impact of this grant will be felt long after the event itself. The organization has already expressed interest in making the Pink Out Play Day an annual tradition, and we can't wait to see how it continues to grow and inspire future generations.