READING - The fundraising efforts to build a new tennis facility at the end of Birch Meadow Drive are in full swing. To date, the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force (FRTTF) has raised $40,000 of the $60,000 necessary to fulfill their private fundraising quota. Their latest fundraising effort was an exciting Pro-Am doubles tournament that was held at the Woburn Racket Club on March 24th.

"People have not stopped talking about it," said FRTTF Co-Chair Lorraine Salter, "It was a huge success and we doubled our expectations financially"

The Pro-Am Calcutta style tournament began by picking Pro's and Am's names from a hat to make teams, and then those in attendance placed bets; auction style, on the teams they thought would win.

"Teams were going from $200 to $400," said Salter, "People were really into it and very happy to see Reading High Alums playing."

"It was like a carnival," said FRTTF Co-Chair Kate Kaminer, "We had a banquet of refreshments, pizza, salad, etc."

By nights end, the FRTTF raised $6,100 and all the proceeds went directly towards the Friends of Reading Tennis fundraising efforts for the new facility.

"There was a waiting list to get in to the tournament, both Pros and Ams," said Salter, "we are definitely going to have this as our annual fundraising event moving forward."

"As our annual event, proceeds will go towards maintenance of the new facilty," added Kaminer.

Of the $40,000 cleared by the FRTTF, $7,000 has come from tennis events, $3,000 from the Masonic Hall Texas hold 'em night, $25,000 from individual donations, and $5,000 has come from initial seed money. The FRTTF has $20,000 left to raise in order to meet their private quota and they are looking to gain corporate donations to aid in the process. If they succeed in reaching the projected $60,000, they will have a better chance in gaining the Urban Self Help and USTA grant money that they are applying for in June/July.

"We are still looking at $90,000 projected grant money," said Kaminer, "the grant money is not guaranteed, but we have had great contact with Representative Brad Jones' office, and we continue to send them progress reports and news clippings about how successful our events have been."

"Senator Tisei, Representative Jones, and Representative Patrick Natale have all agreed to write a letter of support to be included with the Urban Self Help grant application," added Salter.

"We are in favorable standing with them because we have been fundraising to support the cause," said Kaminer, "so it is very important for the citizens of the town to help donate."

The FRTTF's fundraising efforts have also caught the attention of Reading's Town Officials. The Board of Selectman will vote on April 26th on whether to allocate funds necessary to move the project forward.

"The town is already planning on contributing $200,000 towards the project, but they will be voting on the warrant article requesting $350,000 debt authorization," said Kate Kaminer, "In other words, they are voting on whether or not to approve the full amount of the project ($350,000) with the understanding that the Friends of Reading Tennis Foundation will reimburse the town $150,000."

"People have not stopped talking about it.  It was a huge success and we doubled our expectations financially"

"The Town Officials are very confident in us," said Kaminer, "we presented to the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, and the Town Manager, and they are all behind us unanimously."

With six to nine fundraising house parties left on the schedule and new fundraising events in the works, Salter and Kaminer are hoping that they will gain the $20,000 needed to push forward.

"People have been so responsive to our presentations and it has been energizing to us to keep going," said Kaminer, "It's a community effort and it has been amazing how many people have reached out to us...not just tennis people."

If you are interested in making an individual, or corporate donation to this cause, please contact Lorraine Salter at norshore@comcast.net, or Kate Kaminer at kkaminer@comcast.net, or visit the group’s website at www.friendsofreadingtennis.org