June 9th, 2016

Tallahassee Tennis Blog: ‘Perfect Match’ Helps Foster Children Statewide

OCOC 2 The 6th Annual “Perfect Match” Tournament, using a doubles and singles format, was held at Tom Brown Park on June 4, 2016. The proceeds from the tournament were given to One Church One Child (OCOC) of Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization with a primary mission to find families and permanent homes for children waiting in the foster care system.

OCOC is funded in part through support from the Florida Department of Children and Families, private donations, grants, and fundraisers.

Although Reverend Al Williams, deputy director of OCOC and tournament organizer, is pleased that the tournament was able to generate more revenue this year over last year, the primary purpose of the tournament is “to raise community awareness and involvement in addressing the needs of children who are in foster care seeking permanent adoption.”

OCOC 3 Tournament Director Lenin Mongerie was very pleased with the increased participation in the tournament this year, as well as the increased number of volunteers providing assistance. As part of the tournament, youth representing local area schools were treated to a tennis clinic as well as lunch. They also each received a hand painted duffle bag with a t-shirt and goodies inside.

Support for the tournament came from many community volunteers representing: Fresh Market; Subway; Tropical Smoothie; Papa John’s Pizza; Winn Dixie; Piggly Wiggly; State Farm (Gayla Parks); Florida Blue; Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs; Four Seasons Hotel; Venom Foundation; Florida A&M University (Physical Therapy Department); Popular Mechanix; and First Commerce Credit Union.

The results of the tournament are as follows: Mixed 8.0 Doubles – Renee Howard/Mike Oately (Winners) and Valley/Devon Richardson (Finalists); Men Doubles 8.0 – Sachin Murthy/Cecil Spears (W) and Jerry Woods/ Chip Chipman (F); Men 7.5 Doubles – Nate Tanner/Devon Richardson (W) and Jonathan Henry/Jonathon Watkins (F); and 3.5 Singles – Andrew Lawyer (W) and Nick Cratti (F).

For more information on One Church One Child, please visit www.ococfl.org or email OCOC at info@ococfl.org.

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Posted by Kelly Tucker

I am an avid tennis player and volunteer coach for the underserved population and Special Olympians. I have been the volunteer Community Events Coordinator for the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger for more than 10 years and am a volunteer for special events with the Tallahassee Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Affairs. I am also a former Board member with the Tallahassee Tennis Association. I am currently the Director of Marketing for Evergreen Solutions, a national public sector consulting firm. I am a graduate of Florida State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.