Great Falls Friends and Neighbors sponsors, Celebrate Great Falls Foundation board members, and FCPS representatives, from left: Missy Perkins, Claire Abbott, Erin Lobato, Meredith Brooke, Lisa Cuomo, Sheri Economou, Jennifer Eng and Kristin Dailey. Photo by Linda Cameron
Celebrate Great Falls Foundation (CGFF) came up with the idea to hold a Ladies Tennis Social fundraiser on the same day as the Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Great Falls Friends and Neighbors (GFFN) got word of the plan and decided to sponsor the event. The fundraiser fits GFFN’s mission of community involvement and supporting our local elementary schools (Great Falls, Forestville and Colvin Run). The proceeds of the Annual Charity Event will go towards purchasing new computers and programs for the elementary school students. Last year’s CGFF highly successful fundraiser event brought in nearly $40,000 for the schools. This year’s success is expected to surpass last year, and will be determined after the CGFF Golf and Auction events.
The first Ladies Tennis Social on May 20 was a smashing success and sold out well in advance, according to event chair, Kristin Dailey. More than 30 ladies signed up to play in the event. When it comes to supporting the local schools, it was apparent that the ladies were enthusiastic about participating in the novel event. There was plenty of laughter and time to socialize with old and new friends, as the ladies moved from court to court in a friendly and inclusive tennis format.
Participants included school PTA representatives, ladies with current or past students, and ladies who enjoyed playing social tennis with new friends. The social included two hours of pro-directed play with drills and games, followed by lunch on an outdoor veranda. The Tennis Social and luncheon was sponsored by Great Falls Friends and Neighbors, a Ladies Social, Philanthropic and Civic Club.
Many thanks to CGFF’s Committee members Erin Lobato, Kristin Dailey, Meredith Broome, and Dennis Peery for their continued support of the event and ingenious addition of the Ladies Tennis Social. GFFN would like to thank Missy Perkins, President of GFFN, and elementary school participants Lisa Cuomo, Sheri Economou, Jennifer Eng, as well as Christina Dumas for gathering the steps needed to kick off this event.
To learn more about the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation (CGFF) and the Great Falls Friends and Neighbors (GFFN) organization, go to https://celebrategreatfalls.org and https://gffnva.org.
Claire Abbott is Community Liaison, Great Falls Friends and Neighbors.