Kids hit tennis balls for South Africa

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 20 August 2009 23:00

More than 80 children, between the ages of 6 to 16, recently hit tennis balls at the Tokekene Club to raise money for the St. Francis Orphanage in South Africa as part of Rally for South Africa.

Each child had a total of 10 balls to rally as many balls as they could. “It was really phenomenal to watch how hard the kids were trying and their level of concentration,” said Merrideth Hammill, who started the charity and whose husband, John, is the tennis director at the Tokeneke Club.

Many of the kids hit between 300 to 500 balls. Hannah Goodrick, age 14, took two and a half hours to hit a total of 1,670 balls.

“I love the game of tennis,” said participant Mac McCaffery. “I just love playing, and this was especially important to me, as I know that I am helping to make a difference in the less-fortunate children’s lives.

Many of the pros involved are from South Africa, and helped make the event, which is in its third year, possible.

The adult portion of Rally for South Africa will be held Sunday, Aug. 30, at 5, at the Toekene Club. For more information, call the pro shop at 655-3464. Non-members are welcome to participate.