After watching several departments at the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) hold fundraisers to benefit its members, Director of Tennis Marie Thomas decided it was time to get her own sport involved.
That idea quickly erupted into success, as UMLY hosted its first annual Founders Day Festival and Pro-Am Tournament on Saturday in Berwyn, Pa. following Friday night’s Tennis Preview Exhibition and Auction.
All proceeds benefited the Changing Lives campaign, which provides financial assistance to members in need. In all, approximately $22,500 was raised – more than twice the goal of $10,000.
The weather couldn’t have been nicer for the Festival on Saturday, which utilized UMLY’s 20 outdoor tennis courts. On-court action included Wheelchair Tennis, Cardio Tennis, 10 and Under Tennis, Junior Tennis and even “Whites and Woodies,” which incorporates wooden racquets and all-white tennis outfits.
NBC Sportscaster John Clark tried his hand with the wooden racquet along with players of all ages – some too young to remember when wooden racquets were the popular choice.
Local pros from all around the tri-state area contributed throughout the day. Carol MacLennan led the charge with the wheelchair participants, while Elizabeth Tassone and Mark Ray ran an enthusiastic group of adults through cardio tennis exercises.
In addition to tennis, exercise and weightlifting workouts to robust music were popular activities throughout the morning. A Pro-am tournament in the afternoon rounded out a perfect tennis day.
