In August, the Stonington High School Girls tennis team hosted the 4th Annual Stonington Tennis Open and the 1st Annual Pickleball Tournament over the course of three days and named Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C) and the Stonington High School Girl’s Tennis Team as the beneficiaries of their hard work and long hours. Each year the girls identify a local organization and split the money they raise 50/50. With everyone ‘s help the girls raised over $10,000 to help support SHS Girls Tennis and Sails Up 4 Cancer.
In the summer of 2020, Stonington High School juniors, Maddie Hamm, Mia Lewandowski and Grace Milne started talking about organizing a benefit tennis tournament. Their objective was to raise funds to help restore the JV girls tennis coaching position at the high school plus find a way to support their community. Thus, the beginning of the Stonington Open!
Maddie, Mia and Grace graduated in 2022 and they finished their high school tennis careers as M-Class CT State Champions! For the 2022 tournament, they have passed the baton to team members (of whom some are siblings) to keep the community tennis spirit alive and well in Stonington.
The 2023 Tournament added Pickle Ball and the committee consisted of Grace Duggan, Marina Lewandowski, Misha Lewandowski, Marcella Hamm and Gwendolyn McGugan. The girls collectively chose Sails Up 4 Cancer as their beneficiary and exceeded all expectations in money raised, sponsorships and participants. Past beneficiaries include: Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Safe Futures, Always Home and this year Sails Up 4 Cancer.
“We are thrilled and honored to have been chosen as the recipient of funds by this dynamic group of young women,” said Bob Davis, President and CEO of SU4C. “We’re just over the moon with all the energy and coordination these young women did – not only did they stage fabulous community event – but they also chose Sails Up 4 Cancer as their charity of choice to support cancer patients in our communities. This was an outstanding experience for Sails Up & we would like to give a huge thank you to all the sponsors and participants. The young people involved deserve the gold medal for community service,” said Davis.
SU4C is a charity organization dedicated to funding care, cures, research, education, and prevention for all types of cancer. This is accomplished through the art and enjoyment of sailing and other terrific events. SU4C has been able to assist many local cancer care centers plus the local Cancer Care Hospital, children afflicted with cancer, and both individuals and families struggling financially while battling cancer.
For Further information: Bob Davis, Sails Up 4 Cancer • Rdavis@su4c.org • www.su4c.org
Learn more about the Open: Stoningtonopen.com
