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PTR contributes to Special Olympics

Hilton Head Island, SC — PTR Foundation, the charitable arm of Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), distributed more than $2,300 in new tennis equipment, as well as hundreds of gently used tennis racquets to in-need programs that participated in the 2010 Special Olympics Invitational Tennis Championships.

Nine states representing 17 individual area programs competed in the Championships. Each program is struggling for equipment and resources to service mentally challenged individuals to enjoy the sport of tennis. PTR Foundation was able to provide training manuals, beginner drills DVDs, used racquets, foam, pressureless and regulation tennis balls, ball hoppers, ball pick up tubes and portable mini-nets. PTR Foundation also donated tennis shoes, warm ups and shirts for players who are going to the National Games.

Nancy Van Winter of the Maryland Special Olympics program received a HAL personal tennis stroke trainer that is perfect for developing tennis strokes with a ball permanently attached to the end of a flexible pole.

PTR Foundation was established in 1979, as the charitable arm of PTR. In order to pursue its aim of raising, administering and distributing funds for charitable activities, the Foundation was granted 501(C)(3) status as an educational foundation by the IRS. Each year, PTR members donate to the Foundation with their membership renewals. These funds are used for various charitable and research activities. Some of these charitable activities have included USTA Schools Programs and National Junior Tennis Leagues, junior scholarships, seed grants to start community tennis programs and other worthwhile projects, such as wheelchair tennis and Special Olympics tennis. PTR is the Official Training Partner for Special Olympics Tennis. It is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with 14,000 members in 121 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.

Posted on April 28, 2010
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