Help Those Who Help Us

Hey, times are tough out there.  No doubt about it.  So if you're like me, it's hard to play all the GLTA tournaments you want.  Between travel, hotel expenses, and beer money, these tournaments can get pricey quickly, and that doesn't even include the entry fees to even be able to play.

At a quick glance, $113 for entry into two events for Louisville seems like a lot of money just to play some tennis matches.  Compared to some of the other tournaments out there, it's actually pretty reasonably priced.  The only one I've seen cheaper is the GLTA stop in Raleigh.  I've never been on a host committee for a tournament, but I'm sure there are a lot of expenses involved. From court costs and snacks and meals at the tournament site to the banquets and the draw parties, the money put out to put on one of these tournaments can get out of hand for these committees pretty fast.  All things considered, $113 is pretty reasonable.

What makes it all the more reasonable is the fact that the Bluegrass Open is also a fundraiser.  Last year, in its inaugural year, the tournament was able to make a $2000 donation to House of Ruth.  House of Ruth is a Louisville area non-profit group that works with both families and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.  Many of us are involved with similar organizations in our own communities.  While HIV/AIDS can affect anyone, it's still a crisis in the gay community, our community, and House of Ruth does a lot of great work for our brothers in the Kentuckiana area.

And for you gamblers out there, you'll have plenty of opportunity to support House of Ruth through the raffle at the banquet.  All money from the tickets sold for the raffle goes to House of Ruth.  If you were at the banquet last year, you'll not only remember that I was shamefully overlooked for the Hot Daddy of the Tournament award when that honor went to that Josh from Indy, but that there were some ticket queens there who thought they could get a seat on the Board of Directors for House of Ruth by buying raffle tickets.  That, or they were enamoured by that hottie selling tickets in his underwear.  Either way, a lot of money was raised and it all went to House of Ruth.

Nelson Knight, TALK Vice President, giving Linda Underwood, Executive Director of House of Ruth a check for $2000, money raised at last year's tournament.

So even though times are tough, register for the tournament!  Go and have some fun, play some tennis, buy some raffle tickets, and more importantly, help those who help us.