Just in time for the holiday season, the Cherry Hill East boys tennis team is holding their first annual tennis racket collection. The team is collecting new or used rackets for the next month to benefit children in the community and South Jersey area. The team hopes that donating the rackets will help children learn the sport that they love.

The idea for the racket drive started last spring, when Greg DeWolf, head coach of the tennis team, brought up the idea to his players. He got the idea from the Haddonfield boys tennis team, who participated in a similar drive two years ago. They spoke about it at the All South Jersey banquet.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity for our team to get involved in some community service but also help kids that want to play tennis that don’t have access to all of the tools,” said DeWolf.

An important contributor to this project is Adam Yu (‘19), one of the co-captains of the tennis team. After the boys collect the rackets, Yu, who has a restringing machine in his house, will restring and regrip the rackets so the children receiving the rackets will have optimal equipment. This project is extremely important to Yu, as he grew up playing tennis, a sport he adores.

“If I am able to brighten someone’s day through the sport that I have grown to love, it’s [the drive] just definitely something I hope to do,” Yu said.

On top of being able to help the community, this project also promotes team unity. Tennis, an individual sport, does not always thrive on team unity. However, the racket drive has allowed the team to work together with the goal of helping others.

“With this racket drive, we are able to come together, collaborate and make something good happen,” Yu said.

In addition to collecting and donating the rackets, the team hopes to volunteer their time within the Cherry Hill community. DeWolf said he hopes to plan a day where the team can teach younger children how to play and improve their tennis skills.

“This would be a good way to expose the younger kids to how great the sport is,” said DeWolf.

The team has already accumulated about 30 rackets. If you wish to donate to the racket drive, contact DeWolf, Yu or any member of the team. The team hopes to rally up as many rackets as they can and make a positive difference throughout the community.