A Special Gift

I am the luckiest person to be able to have the privilege of making the difference in the lives of so many kids. What a transformation I have seen in so many volunteers, staff and participants as the years have passed. Even as I have seen so many positive changes on the court, the biggest transformation is the one I have seen in myself. It really is about the person I am becoming not at all about the job I am doing as a volunteer. I don't even think about that. I have become more patient, more alive, more positive, (if that is possible), more appreciative of the little things in life, more happy in spending quality time with friends and family, and more in the moment in everything I do. I have learned a very valuable lesson that you need to spend more time transforming yourself than time spent doing a job. By becoming a better person overall and learning from all my experiences I am able to give more to the kids, my family, friends and myself.

What a valuable lesson for the kids who attend our program because they don't know it when they arrive the first day but it really is not what they get it is really what they become. Sure, they will learn tennis, have fun, and enjoy tennis with family and friends but along the way they will become more respectful, more honest, more committed in everything they do, they will think of others before themselves, and they will develop more self confidence. These skills will help them in everything they pursue in life. What a truly amazing gift!

- Danielle Smith

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