Wounded Warrior Tennis is here to stay and working toward a successful 2018 campaign thanks to several San Diego Area clubs and organizations. The Wounded Warrior program, sponsored by the San Diego District Tennis Association, credits its success due to the collaborate help from Balboa Tennis Club, Coronado Tennis Club, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Morgan Run, and Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Club. These clubs have been critical to the program’s success by providing financial and in-kind support through donations and fundraisers.

The Wounded Warriors are currently in the process of raising $70,000 for the 7^th Annual National Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp which will be held May 6-12, 2018 at Balboa Tennis Club.  Sixty Wounded Warriors of all ages and from over 20 states are expected to attend.

The program was established in 2009 and was designed to use tennis as a means of physical and emotional rehabilitation and community reintegration for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans from across the country. This program is unique in the country and has received national recognition for its excellence and impact from the USTA and Department of Defense.  Over 1000 Wounded Warriors enjoy weekly tennis clinics at Balboa Tennis Club and Naval Medical Center San Diego, as well as annual week-long tennis camps for Wounded Warriors from across the country, which are run by volunteer tennis pros and enthusiasts from across San Diego.

A hallmark of this program is that all the tennis clinics and camps are free to the participants because most do not have the means to otherwise participate.   Per person costs associated with the camp can exceed $1,000. Through grants and donations from San Diego tennis clubs, businesses, and community support organizations, we have been able to cover all costs including airfares, lodging, meals, tennis equipment and instruction and social events at the camps.

“We invite you and your club members to become a part of this shining example of how the San Diego tennis community is taking care of our military families,” said Steve Kappas. “Please consider hosting a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Tennis Program at your club, taking up a collection of tennis supplies, or making individual financial or in-kind donations. Our Wounded Warrior tennis players will greatly appreciate your help!”

For more information on Wounded Warrior tennis or how to donate to this great program please go to  www.sdwoundedwarriortennis.org, where there is a quick and easy online donation option.  You may also contact Steve Kappes, the District’s Director of Military Outreach, at stevekappes@hotmail.com  or call 619-948-4596.

Special Thanks to Steve Kappes and the SDDTA for contributing this story.