By: Tori Townsend
Have you ever wondered where used, worn-out or damaged tennis racquets go? Some take racquets to
Goodwill, others hang it on the wall as art, and then there are those solemn racquets that end up collecting
cobwebs in the corner that end up in the garbage. While newer racquets are somewhat biodegradable
thanks to innovative technologies from manufacturers like Wilson, most racquets are not eco-friendly and
simply end up in a landfill polluting the earth. Moreover, what may seem like an old, worn-out or useless
piece of equipment to some is seen by others as
something that can be recycled, renewed and reused.
That is exactly why a group of junior tournament
players from South Florida run an organization to
recycle new and used tennis rackets and distribute
them to those in need. Founding members
Alexander Aguiar and Luke Habig along with
enlisted members Bianca Sanon and Jesse Feder
serve Kids Serving Kids, a foundation dedicated to
collecting new and used tennis rackets with a goal to
restore and deliver them to kids who could not
otherwise play tennis because of high equipment
cost.
Through 30 bright green collection bins placed at
tennis facilities in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach
counties so far, more than 500 tennis racquets have
been collected since the organization’s origin in
2007. The Florida-based organization is dedicated to
having chapters throughout the state. To grow,
there needs to be more awareness of Kids Serving
Kids so that more racquets don’t end up unused and
in landfills.
l-r: Bianca Sanon, Luke Habig, Jesse Feder and
Alexander Aguiar
“This is meant to be a program that is generational and handed over to the next generation of kids,” said
Danielle Aguiar, mother of Alexander Aguiar. “There is so much room for growth; every city in Florida
could have a chapter. Image that. Imagine that.”
Right now, Kids Serving Kids has an inventory of tennis racquets and they need to know who needs them
and how can they fill the need. The foundation partnered with Pro Tennis, an organization that identifies
at-risk kids, takes them out of their environment and brings them into the discipline of tennis, while
incorporating an element of academics. Together, deliveries have already been made to Guadalajara,
Mexico, Carter Park in Sunrise, Wolf Park at Everlasting Love Tennis in Lauderhill, and other local spots.
“The racquets the kids receive have been used, and
most would think the racquet has had its life, but it
hasn’t!” said Danielle, who mentioned that Club Med
sponsored Kids Serving Kids and paid for the entire
shipment, including customs, to Guadalajara. “Once
you see these kids playing with the racquets, it is
very rewarding. There are a lot of kids that want to
play, but just can’t.”
Coach Jose Ayala, who teaches at the Veltri Tennis
Center in Plantation and is from Guadalajara,
jumpstarted the kids to take action last year after 17year-old Alex Aguiar mishandled his equipment on
the court after getting overly frustrated – a feeling we
can all relate to.
l-r: Alexander Aguiar, Bianca Sanon, Luke Habig and
Jesse Feder kneel next to the bright green bin used to
collect tennis racquets
Ayala said, “You just don’t realize the value of your
equipment, you think that these things come easy.
You ought to see some kids who are just dying to
play and they can’t because they don’t have a
racquet.” A reality check is all the kids needed to get
started.
The money to start Kids Serving Kids was started by the boys’ own savings totaling $1,006 to create the
website, buy bins and banners and print business cards. Luke Habig also invested funds for the printing of
the brochures, additional bins, supplies for the City of Plantation’s “Green Day” fundraiser and information
pouches. Although Danielle supervises, she assures it’s the kids’ foundation and they do the work.
Since the foundation was created by junior tennis players, juniors have to get involved in order for Kids
Serving Kids to carry on. The most recent Florida junior player to sign on board is Michael Holtmann (9)
who, with the help of his mother, started a chapter in Miami.
“What better community service program than for junior tennis players to open a chapter in their area,”
Danielle said. “They are expanding the sport that they love and helping a community go green.”
If you are interested in donating tennis racquets, please visit www.kidsservingkids.com to find locations of
drop-off sites in your area. If there aren’t any locations, and you would like to have a bright green recycling
bin at your tennis facility or start a Kids Serving Kids chapter, please contact Danielle Aguiar at
954.290.4646.