22nd Annual SOS Tennis Benefit Raises Funds andbr"Love" for Victims of Domestic Violence
Submitted by Tracy L. Southers, APR
It is notbrinstantly apparent what tennis and local women's shelters have in common. Butbrsince 1991, a direct link was established when Mid-Cities Supporters of SafeHaven(SOS) hosted its inaugural tennis benefit to raise funds for SafeHaven of Tarrant County, whichbroperates two emergency shelters for survivors of domestic violence. What beganbras a small tournament with approximately 40 players is now a three-day eventbrwith nearly 240 players from throughout thebrmetroplex. The 22nd Annual SOS Tennis Benefit will take place May 14-16 at Southlake Tennis Center and is openbrto players of all levels.
According to ElainebrTerry, who helped start the tennis benefit and has served as chair or co-chairbrfor the past 15 years, it began as a social gathering for local women andbrofficially became a fundraiser in 1991.
"It startedbrwith about 20 ladies who played in Bedford and donated $10 each to SafeHaven. Ibrhave played in the tournament every year and this is how I got involved withbrSOS," she says, noting the first tournament raised approximately $800.
As one of onlybrtwo fundraisers hosted each year by SOS (its annual Celebrity Chefs event wasbrheld in January), the tennis benefit offers a good time on and off the courts,brbut it has a serious purpose: to assist SafeHaven of Tarrant County in its mission tobrend family violence through financial support and by promoting communitybrawareness of family violence.
"We don't think of domestic violencebras being an issue in our communities, but it is important to make women awarebrthat there is some place they can go," Terry continues. "Almost everybryear during the tournament, a woman comes up to me and says that either she orbrsomeone she knows received help from SafeHaven."
Since its inception, the SOS Tennis Benefithas raised more than $250,000 for SafeHaven of Tarrant County. These funds arebrused to uphold SafeHaven's mission to change the lives of women and childrenbraffected by domestic violence. SafeHaven offers a multitude of programs andbrservices to protect victims and create opportunities to achieve independencebrand self-sufficiency:
- Two emergencybr shelters with a combined 174-bed capacity that provide safety planning,br living quarters, meals, clothing, transportation and medical/dental carebr referrals.
- SafeLiving, abr transitional living program that successfully moves families from shelterbr to independence.
- SafeResponse,br a 24/7 crisis intervention program available to hospitals and lawbr enforcement.
- CampHeart, abr weekend camping program for child victims.
- SafePlay, abr sports camp program for child victims.
The 2012 tennis benefitbrraised approximately $30,000 which funded children at the shelter attendingbrCamp Awesome. In 2011, two vans were purchased to transport women and childrenbrat the shelters to appointments and activities. Funds raised this year arebrearmarked to redesign the website for SafeHaven of Tarrant County.
"Webrtypically dedicate the money raised for children's programs, especially duringbrthe summer to give them something fun to do, but re-doing the website isbrimportant to reach as many people as possible," states Deanna Stuart, currentbrpresident of Mid-Cities SOS, adding that the organization has donated more thanbr$1 million total to SafeHaven.
The tennisbrbenefit was played at Hackberry Creek Country Club and Richland Tennis Centerbrbefore moving to Southlake Tennis Center in 2000 where it has remained everbrsince. Mia Gordon-Poorman, general manager of Southlake Tennis Center, becamebrthe tournament director in 2002 and has co-chairedbrthe event for the past three years.
"This eventbrand organization is near and dear to my heart. Not only do we host it here, butbrwe also bring children from Safehaven into our junior summer camp program eachbryear, " says Gordon-Poorman, noting 100 percent of the entry fees go tobrSOS and all expenses are covered by sponsors. "Playing tennis is not onlybrgreat physical activity for the kids, but it helps them develop social skillsbrand self esteem."
A popular event for many players atbrSouthlake Tennis Center, Gordon-Poorman says players also come from Arlington,brFlower Mound, Keller and Grapevine. Each team will play in a round robin, withbrthe winners from each division playing in the finals:
- Tuesday, Maybr 14: Levels 3.0B & 3.0A
- Wednesday, Maybr 15: Levels 4.0B & 4.0A+
- Thursday, Maybr 16: Levels 3.5B & 3.5A
The tournament starts promptly at 8:45 a.m.breach day and lunch and awards are held at 1:00 p.m. The entry fee is $50 perbrplayer and includes a light breakfast, snacks, lunch and gift. In addition tobrthe action on the court, there will be a silent auction and basket raffle.brDeadline for registration/payment is May 3.
Tracy Southers, APR, is president of WordPlay, LLC, a public relations agency in Grapevine, Texas. The company’s services include consulting, copywriting, marketing communications, publicity, social media and special event planning. For more information, visit WordPlay Texas or call 817.756.1233.