Tennis Outreach Programs 2014 “TOPspin Auction”

On October 24th, my office, along with spouses, clients and friends, gathered to support Tennis Outreach Programs (“TOPs”) annual fundraising event – the “TOPspin Auction” . As you can see from these photos, a wonderful time was had by all, and we were able to raise much-needed funds for TOPs programs and scholarships.

As an attorney, the opportunities to give back to the community are countless. Legal aid clinics, Bar committees, non-profits, speaking, writing, mentoring . . . the list goes on. With such a bountiful list of beneficial organizations needing legal help, why is TOPs so important? Why did I choose to place my time and energy there? Besides being a former college tennis player and a current tennis enthusiast, let me tell you why.

Tennis Outreach Programs (TOPs) is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to “empower youth for lifetime success through tennis, education, fitness and character development regardless of economic circumstance.” Our Founder, Marceil Whitney, is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame  for developing innovative methods of teaching tennis to children. Marceil knows how to teach a four-year old the fundamentals of tennis in a way that  makes tennis  fun and accessible, rather than intimidating. In 2012, the year that I joined the Board, we opened the doors to our first facility, the Eastside Tennis Center (“ETC”) in Kirkland. ETC offers six “standard” tennis courts, and six 36-foot courts designed for play by children ages eight and under. These smaller courts are generally filled with children, who use smaller rackets and “Nerf-sized” tennis balls to learn the game.

TOPs has quickly grown to be the top junior tennis facility in the Pacific Northwest! Some very talented “high performance” juniors play at our facility, children who will likely move on to enjoy solid college careers on athletic scholarships and possibly a professional future. But that’s not all. Many children who play at ETC and receive instruction, equipment, transportation, not to mention attending enrichment classes and meeting friends and mentors, either pay a reduced rate or pay nothing. As a non-profit, TOPs wants to serve children – especially children who could not otherwise afford to participate.  Children who have developmental disabilities and other challenges are also welcomed, and programs are specifically designed to make tennis accessible and fun for them as well.

As a business lawyer, I serve as TOPs Secretary and also as co-Chair of the Legal Affairs and Governance Committee. I help create a solid legal foundation for TOPs, so that the organization can rely on that structure as it grows and faces new challenges. I find the work incredibly rewarding. Each time I walk into the ETC, and see kids laughing, playing tennis, and enjoying their friends, my heart is well-satisfied. I know there’s no better place for me to serve the community.

Photos: Sherry Lueders