Teens preparing to get on the paddle courts and compete.
By Sofia Caballes, Co-Chair, Public Relations, Youth Community Fund
March 8, 2023: Whoosh! Bam! Thwack! Swoosh! These are only a few of the sounds made at the Youth Community Fund’s ("YCF") successful second annual paddle tennis tournament at the Siwanoy County Club on February 12th.
The tournament attracted over 55 participants from Bronxville, Tuckahoe, and Eastchester, with all levels welcomed. Entrance fees were $20 each, with all money raised going to YCF’s 2023 grants to nonprofits that support area youth.
Paddle racket in one hand and hot cocoa in the other, the paddle tournament was a huge success.
Participants were provided with loads of sweet treats and beverages, such as donuts, muffins, chips, cupcakes, brownies, and more. In addition, participants were kept warm by drinking hot cocoa and standing near fire pits. Volunteer DJ Hayden Garbarini also hyped up the crowd with popular tunes.
Hayden Garbarini blasting energetic music
The tournament began swiftly. Players were arranged into teams and went to their assigned courts. After intense matches played in a round-robin format, the finals finally arrived and Jack Reilly and Virginia Hail emerged victorious! Their prize was Chocolate Chunker cookies donated by Michael Knox.
Massive thank yous go to Siwanoy Country Club for sharing the paddle courts, Dave O’Shaughnessy for organizing the teams, Cece Heraty and Katie Shah from the Youth Community Fund, and to all those who attended the event and supported a wonderful cause.
Teens Claire Colassuno and Julia Handel organizing team rosters
The next Youth Community Fund event is a screening of the movie Angst on March 6th at 7pm at the Bronxville Picture House. Angst is a film designed to raise awareness about anxiety and includes interviews of kids, teens, experts, and parents.