Boathouse Fundraiser a Success for NYJTL

It was a midsummer night’s dream come true for more than 450 attendees at Central Park’s Boathouse Thursday evening as the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) held its 18th Annual Summer Gala with the Stars. Luminaries from the worlds of tennis, finance and the New York social scene came out to support the largest tennis and education- themed organization in the country.

"NYJTL’s annual gala is among the premiere tennis events on the NYC calendar," said Mark McIntyre, executive director of the Riverside Clay Tennis Association (RCTA). "I’ve been attending for 20 years and each year they outdo the previous one. A first-class organization, a fun-filled evening, and a very worthy cause."

Former Mayor David Dinkins, NYJTL founder Skip Hartman and other backers helped celebrate the efforts of the group, which reaches out to more than 75,000 young tennis players and learners in New York. 

“The vitality and energy of the event was absolutely outstanding. It was gratifying to see so many long-standing and new attendees bring such passion and enthusiasm to the NYJTL community,” said Dr. Deborah Antoine, CEO of NYJTL.

This year, the event was especially festive as more than 400 partygoers honored the organization’s work and, in particular, the $22 million Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning now under construction in the Bronx’s Crotona Park. The Summer Gala with the Stars is expected to raise an amount that will be in the low six figures.

"We’re confident that we are reaching out to the next generation of socially concerned New Yorkers to make them aware of the great work the NYJTL is doing," said Tory Kiam, NYJTL’s vice chairman.

In addition to the increased services the Leeds Center will make possible, Kiam said the group will focus on continuing to provide tennis and educational support to the city’s youth at the more than 600 courts and playgrounds it operates.

"Once again, NYJTL’s Deborah Antoine with Pam Glick have outdone themselves," said Hartman. "They produced both a fun party for a mere 500 people and a very successful fundraiser. This one broke both attendance and fundraising records, which is nice to see because NYJTL is working so hard to both continue its citywide programs and build the Cary Leeds Center. I was thrilled to see how the next two generations filled the room, had fun, and carried on Arthur Ashe’s vision."

Credit all photos to Adam Wolfthal