Rosanne Susi, Erica Susi and Jeffrey Susi. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

All eyes were on the ball as it was lobbed back and forth across the net during the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation USTA Futures Championship, held at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at Timber Ridge.

Event organizers said that this year, for the first time in the tournament’s history, it was an All-American lineup of players in the singles and doubles semifinals. Garrett Johns of Atlanta won the singles title, with Cooper Woestendick of Olathe, Kansas, and Alex Razeghi of Humble, Texas, taking the doubles title.

Hosted by the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the week-long tournament showcased high-level tennis while promoting the importance of fitness and healthy habits for local children.

Proceeds were earmarked for the 2024 summer and fall children’s programs funded by MFCF, each of which encourage children to engage in physical activities and other healthful interests.

“This was one of our biggest fundraisers to date,” said Lynn Southerly, MFCF executive director, noting the need for increased funding for summer and afterschool programs.

“We get more and more requests each grant session. Everything is more expensive, especially transportation.”

This year, for the first time, Southerly said the MFCF will host a full-day summer camp program at Riverside Park, in partnership with the USTA Florida Foundation.

This spring, the MFCF distributed over $90,000 in grants to 15 children’s programs, supporting more than 1,000 children through tennis, golf, cheerleading, garden club, track, equine, basketball, mental health counseling, academic enrichment, and environmental education programs.

Annually, the nonprofit supports more than 2,400 children in Indian River County elementary, middle, high schools, and in afterschool centers.

Throughout the tournament week, attendees were given a firsthand look at the difference some of these program opportunities are making in children’s lives.

Appearances were made by the miniature horses of the children’s equine program, Beachland Elementary Track participants, Environmental Learning Center students, Pro Sport cheerleaders, and the Treasure Coast Elementary Garden Club. Additionally, before the final match, the Storm Grove Middle School Chorus performed the National Anthem.
A key component of the program is Mardy’s 6 Healthy Habits, meant to improve school performance and overall happiness: Get enough Sleep, Exercise Daily, Drink Water, Brush and floss, Eat Healthy, and Make Friends.

For information, visit mardyfishchildrensfoundation.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis