Community Excitedly Responds to One Church One Child’s Tennis Tournament Supporting Children in Foster Care
Special to the Outlook
What a great event, One Church One Child’s 5th Annual Perfect Match Tournament for Adoption and Foster Care was held May 16 & 17 in Tallahassee at Tom Brown Park. The weekend was filled with anticipation from the players wondering who would be the winner of their division and community supporters came to watch the action. At the end of the tournament, everyone felt they had witnessed tennis at its best.
The winners were as follows:
Mixed Doubles, Renee Howard and Greg Hicks defeated Alan Abramowitz and Nancy Daniels 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 in the third set tie breaker.
Women Doubles, Renee Howard and Jazmine Adams defeated the Williams sisters, Christina and Shannon Williams 6-4, 6-4.
Men Doubles, Jerry Wood and Jack Chipman defeated Kory Howard and Nate Tanner 6-3, 6-4
Men Singles, Greg Hicks defeated Andy Pitts 6-2, 6-3
Up/Down, Sunny Petel and Marlon Toombs played Al Williams and Cory Howard in an exhibition match. It was the first time for many to witness up/down tennis. Sunny Petel is a nationally ranked up/down player. For those who aren’t familiar with up/down tennis. It includes players in wheelchair to compete with other players.
The weather was perfect for fun in the sun at the 5th Annual Perfect Match Tennis Tournament sponsored by One Church One Child of Florida. The tournament has grown to attract more tennis players and community partners each year and helps to raise awareness of such a critical issue as adoption of children in foster care in need of a permanent home and family.
We are pleased to have several sponsors supporting the event, such as Florida Blue, Bond Community Health Center, Florida A&M University, Department of Children and Families, Guardian ad Litem and Boys Town. The most fun was had by the children who participated in the Kids Clinic. Ms. Kelly Tucker and Mr. Zane Hood conducted the Kids Clinic and Sports Challenge. Students representing Pineview Elementary won the Sports Challenge with the highest number of students participating.
Ms. Donna Harper and 10 members from AmeriCorps Tallahassee served throughout the tournament. Also present were Department of Children and Families Representative, Kurt Brown; Guardian ad Litem CEO, Alan Abramowitz and Leon County School Board Member, Mrs. Maggie Lewis Butler. She supported the activity, cheering on the partners, players and children. Special thanks to Mr. Leon Kicks and Mike Tuten for supporting One Church One Child of Florida and its mission for children in care.
The Tennis Tournament is a tremendous annual event used to engage community members and build partnerships on behalf of the children in foster care. The intent is to raise community awareness and involvement in addressing the needs of children who wait for adoptive and foster parents, and permanent families and homes to call their own.
