New York Tennis Magazine’s Charitable Initiatives: Debbie’s Dream Foundation Holds Tennis Luncheon at Roosevelt Island
Debbie’s Dream Foundation recently held its first Tennis and Charity Luncheon at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. The event featured 24 players playing on six courts, in addition to nine ladies who came just for the luncheon. The event was sponsored by NYJTL and the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, raised more than $8,000 for Debbie’s Dream Foundation.
Debbie’s Dream Foundation was started by Debbie Zelman, who was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer in 2009, and after doing research and educating herself on the disease and the best available care, created the Foundation to help patients, their families and caregivers. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research and providing education and support internationally with the ultimate goal of finding the cure for stomach cancer.
The tournament, which was chaired by Debbie’s sister, Tammy Caress, had three 15-minute round-robin matches with no ad scoring, with the winning team moving up a court and everyone switching partners. In the end, it was the duo of Lisa Denburg & Jill Kalotay who finished in first place, while Susan Stava & Elena Coumantaros in second place.
Glam Slam was on hand selling its tennis bags and accessories to attendees.
In addition to tennis action, there was a silent auction featuring a stay at the Key Biscayne Ritz Carlton; a stay in a four-bedroom home in Stowe, Vt.; tickets to the Broadway smash hit “Hamilton;” a $100 gift certificate to Mason’s Tennis; and much more.
