The Santa Rosa Beach, Florida based company Food for Thought Outreach, Inc. is celebrating the success of their 2019 tennis tournament "LoveALL." The competition was held on May 18th as a fundraiser for the organization. More details on this year's tournament can be accessed through the following link: https://hilaryreverie.com/2019-loveall-tennis-tournament/.
After taking a sabbatical, the organization finally brought back their long-awaited competitive event. The LoveALL tournament has become one of the community's favorite activities, combining sports and entertainment to raise funds for a noble cause. This tournament gathers people from all across Florida who share a passion for tennis; inviting rookies, enthusiasts, and professionals to a place where they can meet and enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content.
This year, the LoveALL tournament was held at the Rosemary Beach Racquet Club. Food for Thought Outreach managed to gather over 24 teams, consisting of men and women of all ages, for the event. All of the funds raised are utilized in support of the organization’s crucial work, which provides backpacks full of healthy snacks and food to underprivileged children in the Walton and Okaloosa Counties.
Their tournament consisted of men and women’s doubles sets, beginning with registration and breakfast at 8:00 am in preparation for the matches, which commenced an hour later at 9:00 am. The teams played a total of three matches that included both conventional and unconventional rules for entertainment purposes.
The custom-made rules and changes added to the matches, encouraging the players’ creativity, included the use of a small, round ball which was known as the "love hurts." Any player had the opportunity to purchase this ball, which they could then use for various purposes during the match, from counting as an extra point every time they scored, to forcing their opponent to return with the left hand, or even going as far as laying the racquet on the ground until the ball was in play.
The organization, in conjunction with other local restaurants and shops, also hosted other activities to encourage the community to get involved or donate. While the teams and spectators enjoyed a day of tennis, those who weren't attracted by the sport could enjoy mixed cocktails or lunch by the restaurant Chiringo of Grayton Beach.
Food for Thought Outreach separately hosted a silent auction, which was open throughout the day. Players and the public alike were encouraged to bid on over 20 donated items from local businesses. Some of the most interesting items auctioned included a private dinner for four at a famous local restaurant, a helicopter ride over the Gulf of Mexico, a spa treatment, and a getaway weekend in Clayton, Georgia, among many other items that appealed to people of different ages and interests.
At the end of the day, after all of the activities finished, the event raised over $14,000 in benefits for the organization. The date for the next tennis tournament held by the organization is already set, and Food for Thought Outreach excitedly invites the community to take part on Saturday, May 16 of 2020 in the LoveAll "TENnis" Tournament, which will be also celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the organization’s founding.
Tiffany Nelson, CEO and founder of Food for Thought Outreach celebrated the support they received, saying, "I am so happy to see the LoveAll Tennis Tournament return with such outstanding support. The results of the event this year surpassed our expectations and provided much-needed support for our summer programs at Food For Thought Outreach. Now, we can take this energy and make the 2020 event even better."
The response by the community was of overwhelming support, as exemplified by Sharon Widman of Poraths & Associates, who said, “I can’t think of a better way to raise money to help our local children than getting out on the tennis court to play a few sets with my friends. Thank you to Food For Thought Outreach for incorporating their mission with a fun day of tennis. Next year’s tournament is already on my calendar.”
For more information on Food for Thought Outreach, interested parties may get in touch with Tiffanie Nelson. Players and other residents of the community may also connect with the organization through their official Facebook page, which can be found at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/FoodForThoughtOutreach/.
Food For Thought provides backpacks filled with healthy, easy to prepare food for eligible local students. Our goal is to support their development & education by bridging the gap between school meals during weekends & holiday breaks.
Food for Thought Outreach, Inc
132 Market Street
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
