Abilities Tennis grows with events and fundraising

Lou Welch obviously is a great salesperson for the North Carolina’s adaptive tennis program.

A key example of her fundraising work was at this year’s US Open when she sat down at a restaurant table with two tennis fans. It didn’t take Welch long to land a financial supporter for her Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina.

“Meeting Ashley Flowers of the podcast Crime Junkie in NYC before attending the US Open was one of the highlights of my year,” acknowledged Welch, executive director of Abilities Tennis NC.

“How encouraging it was to meet a random stranger (Ashley Flowers) at a restaurant who then became a financial supporter of Abilities Tennis. She sent me a check for $5K for Abilities Tennis.”

Lou Welch's contribution
There’s more to this story about how one person - Lou Welch - has made so much difference in the last decade in the lives of the 600 adaptive athletes throughout her state.

“Ten years ago I worked 10 hours a week. Now I work 40 hours a week,” Welch said. “I am the only employee of Abilities Tennis of NC. The program has grown from six to 32 clinics. It has taken over my life. It’s a blessing. I love it.

“Abilities Tennis of NC’s mission is to bring fitness, friendship, and community to people withintellectual disabilities through the highly adaptable sport of tennis. Spending time on the courts helps people with intellectual disabilities develop vital social skills and independence, forge friendships and meaningful connections, increase their physical and mental health, build confidence, and realize their unique potential,” Welch said.

It all started one day 11 years ago when the door swung open for Welch to start a new career Welch said, “I ran into Kelly (Gaines) 11 years ago and she told me there would be a position opening up.”

USTA North Carolina's Kelly Gaines
Kelly Gaines, the executive director of USTA North Carolina and the NC Tennis Foundation, has helped Welch make such a huge impact in adaptive programming.

Gaines said, “Tennis is for everyone, and Abilities Tennis Association of NC leads by example in every way. Under Lou’s leadership and the solid volunteer group she assembles throughout our state, ATANC provides our intellectually challenged athletes with life changing experiences.”

Welch serves on the USTA Southern and USTA adaptive tennis committees.

The $5,000 raised at the U.S. Open was significant, but even bigger things have happened since for Abilities Tennis. Welch’s association hosted the 11^th annual Footprints on the Court fundraiser at Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, N.C. in November.

“For the third year, Abilities Tennis combined the fundraiser with a USTA adult prize money tournament titled Level 5 CCC’s Footprints on the Court Adult/Senior Championships,” Welch said.

Unified Doubles Event
The Unified Doubles Event was on Thursday, Nov. 9, followed by an adult tournament through the weekend. On Friday evening there was a cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing and silent and live auctions.

“Proceeds from the event and sponsorships were over $140,000,” Welch happily reported.

Welch also was thrilled about a recent Winter Chill event at North Carolina State where more than 60 athletes were in attendance along with more than 70 volunteers.

"We had a wonderful Winter Chill, thanks to USTA Southern and The Merrie Christmas Project for the donation which helped put on this big event," Welch said. "With all the families and spectators, we had quite a crowd."

The N.C. State men’s and women’s tennis teams did what Welch described as an extraordinary job to make the tournament "fun, exciting and inclusive."

“This year’s success was remarkable, allowing us to extend our reach to 32 locations statewide, launch a new Unified Double League, and expand our programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities in schools and communities across the state. These programs have remained

completely free of charge, enabling us to remove financial barriers and provide opportunities to those who need them the most.”