Sports
$2,000 Prize: Voting Contest Ends Saturday for Local YMCA
There are only two days left to vote online to help East Lake's YMCA try to win a $2,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association.
East Lake's is one of three Florida finalists in the "Share the Love' video contest sponsored by United States Tennis Association (USTA) of Florida.
The North Pinellas YMCA and other finalists submitted a video showing how the organizations would grow tennis in the community, if they were to receive the prize: a $2,000 grant.
YMCA Program Director Veronica Condren says the money would provide a big boost to the agency's kids' tennis program.
Find out what's happening in Palm Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"It would help us replenish our equipment now that we've started our 10 and under USTA tennis program," she said.
The afternoon that Patch stopped by the YMCA, kids were taking lessons from tennis pro Robert Carlbo.
Find out what's happening in Palm Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Carlbo says there is a real need for kids' tennis classes and the Y wants to continue to build a good program for children. He says the grant would be a big boost for the facility, which has something to offer for all age groups.
"We like to get all ages involved. One of the best things about tennis is you can play if your six years-old or sixty years-old. A great-grandparent or grandparent can play with a grandchild," he said.
The top two vote-getters in the contest will receive a $2,000 "Share the Love" grant. USTA Florida will also visit the winning facility to host a Family Tennis Festival, free to the public. The third place winner will receive a free, one-year USTA Florida organizational membership, according to the USTA Florida website.
The public voting phase of the contest will be open until September 15, 2012. People can vote one time a day.
You can watch videos from the three finalists here
The other two Florida finalists are the Jax Youth Tennis Association in Jacksonville and the Micheal Grant Tennis Academy at Ponte Vedra Beach.
USTA is a not-for-profit tennis association that has more than 1,000 member organizations in Florida. It is also the governing body of amateur tennis in Florida. The organization offers tennis programs for all ages and ability levels, according to the organization's website and Facebook page.
Related links-
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.