Contributions to the Community
coach Mike contributes to the community
Coach Mike Bothwell has been actively serving our community by delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors and mentoring kids in the elementary school. He does this as a way to honor all of the people who helped him over the course of his life. He earned his tennis coaching certification and started a tennis program to promote better health in our community. It helps kids, in particular, to avoid the obesity, drug use, anxiety, and depression epidemics. Tennis is unique in that you can play it for your entire life with friends and family. Multiple studies have shown that playing tennis on a regular basis will extend your life by an extra ten years.
Coach Mike donates his time to teach kids and adults, a value of $50 per lesson. He also donates loaner racquets, tennis balls, and t-shirts. He makes awards for new students to recognize them for their learning milestones. Coach Mike gave 600 lessons in the first year and is currently providing 30 lessons per week. Most new students sign up after hearing about the program from someone else. That speaks volumes about how people in the program feel about it.
Coach Mike donates his time to teach kids and adults, a value of $50 per lesson. He also donates loaner racquets, tennis balls, and t-shirts. He makes awards for new students to recognize them for their learning milestones. Coach Mike gave 600 lessons in the first year and is currently providing 30 lessons per week. Most new students sign up after hearing about the program from someone else. That speaks volumes about how people in the program feel about it.
Tennis players contribute to the community
Coach Mike believes that kids can't have too many good influences in their lives. He tries to do his part by encouraging them regarding their schoolwork. He will express a genuine interest in their studies during lessons. He also tries to set a good example of positive character traits and expects the same of his students. The kids welcomed the opportunity to participate in a community service project for the benefit of the seniors at the Senior Center. It was difficult to tell if the kids or the seniors were more excited about the project. The project was highlighted by WLTX, a Columbia TV station.
Kids and adults in the program accepted the invitation to help the Chamber of Commerce raise funds through their Taste of The Town event. These "chefs" baked almost 200 cookies that resembled tennis balls. There were 18 different flavors and styles of cookies. The kids and the cookies were a big hit among the tasters.
Kids and adults in the program accepted the invitation to help the Chamber of Commerce raise funds through their Taste of The Town event. These "chefs" baked almost 200 cookies that resembled tennis balls. There were 18 different flavors and styles of cookies. The kids and the cookies were a big hit among the tasters.
you can contribute to the community
Our success has caused us to outgrow the available tennis courts. The high school courts are unavailable most of the year and we don't have access to the lights. The two public courts in Gilbert have lights but no restrooms or benches. There is no way to reserve them and we need at least four courts to participate in leagues.
The solution is to build a new facility that will meet our needs. It will include parking, restrooms, lockers, covered picnic area, four tennis courts with benches and lights, four dedicated pickleball courts with benches and lights, and an online reservation system. It will be located near the elementary and middle schools.
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The total cost will be approximately $550,000. The US Tennis Association will provide grants of $100,000 for the tennis courts and amenities. The Rotary Club has expressed an interest in contributing to the pickleball courts. Local, County, and State grants are common sources for grants for such projects. They award grants based on the need that is served and the amount of community support that is behind it.
Support from the local tennis and pickleball players isn't enough. We also need support from businesses and people in the community who don't play tennis or pickleball but appreciate the benefits the program provides to the health of the next generation and the local economy. This is your opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our community.
Support from the local tennis and pickleball players isn't enough. We also need support from businesses and people in the community who don't play tennis or pickleball but appreciate the benefits the program provides to the health of the next generation and the local economy. This is your opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our community.
How You Can Contribute
Your donation will help in two ways: 1) to finance the project and 2) to send a message to the government agencies that our community supports this program and that they should, too. We appreciate any amount that you choose to donate. You can also direct your donation to a specific purpose:
- Day-to-day expenses, such as tennis balls
- Tennis courts, lights, restrooms, parking, etc.
- Pickleball courts
- Wherever it's most needed
Your Peace of Mind
The Batesburg-Leesville Racquet Community is a charitable corporation, registered in the State of South Carolina. Our IRS certification as a 501(c)(3) is in progress. Coach Mike and the other board members are not allowed to personally benefit (i.e. take money) from the organization's activities. We are also required to publish audited financial reports that explain how we got money and how we spent it. We are committed to being good stewards of your donations.