Girls Inc. girls 'raise a racquet'

Linda Curtis, executive director of the United States Tennis Association Florida Section Foundation, stopped by Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County Friday, Aug. 9, to see in action the new addition to the Girls Inc. Summer Camp. USTA Foundation donated $8,750 in July to Girls Inc. of Sarasota County. The funds went toward the new tennis program, "Girls Raise a Racquet."

"Longboat Key has a lot of wonderful women who love tennis and they come here to teach the girls," says Kay Mathers, director of community relations at Girls Inc. "Linda and our volunteers have known each other through tennis, so, because of that connection we have this strong support from the USTA. Without that kind of support and funding, we would never be able to do this."

This is the first year USTA has partnered with Girls Inc.

The "Girls Raise a Racquet" program includes new tennis equipment for the girls, including portable nets to use inside when the weather gets too hot in the summer months.

Contact Heather Merriman at [email protected].