Bronxville High School Students Raise Funds for 'Racquets For Life'

The following announcement is from Racquets For Life, the organizers of the Battle of the Bronxville Clubs tennis showdown: 

On Saturday, June 7th, a group of Bronxville High School students will be raising funds to help run a summer camp for underprivileged kids.   

The much anticipated and long overdue Battle of the Bronxville Clubs is finally going to happen.  Pros from The Bronxville Field Club and Siwanoy Country club will be playing in an exciting doubles exhibition match and everyone is invited to come and watch the fun. 

For years the clubs have wanted to have a tennis showdown; now they are finally doing so, but for a good cause.  

Abigail Roesser, Chrissy Simon, and Malcolm Roesser founded “Racquets For Life” in July 2013 when they  noticed that a large group of young children had very little to keep them busy during their summer break.

"We believe that sports provide a strong foundation for a healthy childhood.  Our mission is to help kids increase their self-esteem and self-discipline.  We aim to give children who are disadvantaged an outlet to reduce their stress, teach them how to share and work together, and to overcome challenges in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment," stated Abigail Roesser, Co-President of Racquets For Life. The kids have teamed up with a local residential treatment program, the Andrus Center, in Yonkers, New York.  Andrus is a group that cares for boys and girls from a broad range of racial and socio-economic backgrounds, that have faced many challenges, including trauma and stress, throughout their short lives.  

The students believe that their program can be part of their recovery and healing and will be running a summer camp for approximately 30 children from Andrus.  Their ultimate goal is to expand the program to help as many kids as possible and run year round tennis clinics in addition to the summer camp. 

It doesn't cost anything to watch the Exhibition Match, but the kids are hoping viewers will bid on their silent auction items and buy raffle tickets for a drawing to be held at the Exhibition (first prize is an iPad Air.)

According to Chrissy Simon, "We still need many things to make this camp a success and are hoping to spread the word that we welcome the donation of tennis racquets, tennis balls, gently used tennis shoes and athletic wear (for kids ages 5 to 13 years), as well as monetary donations."  

The Exhibition Match is being held at the tennis courts at Siwanoy Country Club, 351 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, from 5:30-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7th.  Admission is free, however the club wants to make sure it has the proper amount of seating and is requesting that anyone interested in attending please rsvp to tennisshop@siwanoycc.com or (914) 337-0549 so they can get a headcount.  

If you cannot make the Exhibition and wish to make a donation, items can be dropped at either Siwanoy Country Club or The Bronxville Field Club and checks can be mailed to Racquets for Life, PO Box 82, Bronxville, NY 10708.  All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  Please make checks out to Shelter Pet Alliance with the words "Racquets for Life" written in the memo line.   

For more information please email racquetsforlife@yahoo.com, call (914) 312-7403 or visit http://www.racquetsforlife.org  
Both the clubs and the charity are hoping to make this an annual event, so please come out and show your support.