March 31, 2014
Dear
Not often enough do we thank you and the many volunteers like you for making Special Pops Tennis
possible.
Without your presence as coaches every week in the spring and fall, we could not share the game of
tennis with close to 700 special athletes, many of whom would never have been exposed to the game.
Without your willingness to give up precious weekend hours to be Unified Partners at the Special
Olympics Summer Games, the SPUD League and our own annual Fall Classic Adaptive Tennis
Tournament, we could not offer these meaningful events for our athletes.
Without your offer to serve in off-court positions as Site Coordinators, chaperones, fundraisers, and
other capacities, we could not offer what we believe to be the most successful adaptive tennis program of
its size in the nation.
More importantly, without the experience you provide, athletes like Josh would not have learned the
strokes, rules and tennis etiquette at weekly training sessions. He would not have formed a hiking group
last summer, inviting tennis and non-tennis peers to participate. According to his Mom, interaction with
SPT volunteers has nourished Josh’s growth in self-confidence more than any of the other recreation
programs he is involved in. “Forming the hiking group is largely a result of not only getting people with
and without disabilities together to experience a shared interest, but also having the confidence to move
ahead with high expectations,” she said.
Thank you hardly seems adequate to express our profound gratitude for your generosity with your
time and energy. We are equally grateful to our many volunteers who support Special Pops Tennis with a
financial gift. When an organization seeks financial support, the request is often accompanied by a list of
achievements. Although we’re proud of our achievements, it’s more important to us that you know where
we are going with your continued help. In 2014, Special Pops Tennis will:
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Add training locations in local communities where people with intellectual disabilities have not
previously had an opportunity to play tennis.(If our participation rate amongst the intellectual
disability community equaled the tennis participation rate for the typical population, we could
reasonably triple participation within Special Pops Tennis.)
Through an Athlete Scholarship Program, we will make more opportunities to compete and travel
to tournaments available to athletes who may not be able to afford the associated costs.
We will enhance and improve our coaches training programs with video and more frequent
hands-on training.
I’m challenging every person involved in Special Pops Tennis to consider making a donation. In 2013
only 1 in 17 persons made a gift through our annual giving campaign. Our goal in 2014 is not based on
dollars raised but rather on persons participating - our goal is 100% participation with a gift in any
amount by May 31. This is an appeal to your passion for helping others “Play Tennis, Make Friends, Live
Life.”
Included is a form that explains how to give. You can make a one-time donation or a monthly,
quarterly, or annual donation on our website or via US Mail. Your donation will change many lives,
including your own!
Thank you in advance for your generosity and participation in this campaign and most especially for
your continued support of our gifted athletes through your gift of yourself to Special Pops Tennis.
James D. Hamm
Special Populations Tennis Programs, Inc
Executive Director
E-mail: jim_hamm2003@yahoo.com
(404) 702-5820 cell
(770) 998-7826 home
To donate online, go to www.specialpopstennis.com and click the “Donate” button
To donate by check, please complete this form, make check payable to Special Pops Tennis,
detach and mail to:
Special Pops Tennis
3176 Westfield Way
Roswell GA 30075
____________________________________________
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Street ___________________________________________________
City _______________________________State _________________ Zip __________________
Email address: _________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________ Training site, if applicable________________________________
___ $200 – provides athlete scholarships for competition
___ $100 - provides 1 year of programming for 1 athlete (training, SOGA Summer
Games and Fall Classic Tournament registration fees)
___ $50 - trains a current athlete and 1 new athlete for one full year
___ $25 - provides a dozen foam balls for Level I and II players
___ Other __________________________________________