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August 23, 2008
Play Tennis. Save Lives.
As many of you know, our family is quite involved with the Austin Tennis Academy. Part of the mission of the Austin Tennis Academy is to help junior tennis players reach their full potential as tennis players and human beings. It is the goal of the Austin Tennis Academy to develop citizens of significance, not only of success.
As part of this mission, here's a letter that Claire and Kate have been sending to family and friends:
Kate and I are currently involved in a charity project raising money for A Glimmer Of Hope, an organization which helps provide water and other necessities to areas in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, and one of our tennis academies major sponsors. A Glimmer of Hope also does work in London as well as locally in Austin helping underprivileged kids. The Austin Tennis Academy, which you all know Kate and I spend most of our life at, has a goal of $150,000 for this year which will provide a school with 2 classroom buildings, a health post, and 8 water wells in Ethiopia. This project will benefit 3600 people from the health post, 560 primary school students, and 4710 beneficiaries of clean water.
The project was started by one of our teammates Josh Hagar who is only 13 years old. It is called Playing for Glimmer. Last year we were able to raise $40,000 and through this and other donations the Austin Tennis Academy has already built 28 operational wells, but have set our goal much higher for this year. The way it works is sort of like a Bike-a-thon, we are asking for donations per game that we play in a tournament with a maximum of 100 games. For example if you were to donate $1 per game that would be a pledge of $100. To try are reach our goal of $150,000 the academy students are split into 10 groups of 10 players each player trying to raise $1000. (A private donor promised a $50,000 matching donation which is how we plan to reach $150,000) Kate and I are team leaders of each of our groups and we have set our goal at $1000 each.
Any little bit helps us reach our goal to help provide a better life for children less fortunate than we are.
And remember, your donations are tax deductible.
For more on this project, check out this Youtube video:
Leave a comment or send me an email if you want to contribute to this cause.
Play Tennis. Save Lives.
Update: I didn't realize until this past weekend, that 100% of donations go to the intended recipients in Ethiopia. All operating expenses are paid by by the founders of A Glimmer of Hope though an endowment they've established.
Posted by Jim at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ()
August 4, 2008
Claire Qualifies for USTA National Championships
Just a couple days ago we got the word that Claire qualified for the USTA National Championships. For the 16s girls, it is being held in San Diego. Deb flew out with her bright and early this morning.
Here's her path in the main draw in a field of 256:
Cheer real loud and I'll update this post as I hear results!
Update and bump: Claire just finished her first singles match. Deb said she played and the scores don't reflect Claire's high level of play, 6-2, 6-1. She'll now be competing in the back draw. Go Claire!
Update 2: Deb found out Claire's first opponent reached the quarterfinals of clay court nationals. Today she played well but fell 6-2, 6-2. Welcome to a new latter to climb! Deb also mentioned that 2 two division 1 coaches watched some of the match. Claire was showing off a very strong serve.
Posted by Jim at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments ()
August 3, 2008
Front Yard Camping Action
With Claire and Deb in San Diego, Scott and I decided to do some front yard camping. We pitched a tent in the front yard in the grass field, one of the few areas with any soil to drive the tent stakes into.
Here's Scott enjoying the fruits of his labor with a cold Dr. Pepper in hand:
At Camp Longhorn, Scott learned how to make a Dakota Hole, where you dig two holes and connect them with a tunnel. This provides oxygen to the hole with the fire through the other hole and tunnel. Here's Scott and the finished Dakota Hole:
First order of business, cooking the burgers:
After dinner, it was time to get some coals going for the s'mores. We found some Like Oak branches, and built up the camp fire:
At last, time to enjoy the s'mores:
Posted by Jim at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments ()