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Jak Beardsworth Tennis

Ruth Shiflett KIWANIS / Shoes for Kids
Charity Tennis Event

Update Aug. 1, 2020 – Event Cancellation

Unfortunately, with the recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Florida and Charlotte Co. specifically, we are canceling the charity tournament event fundraiser for this year. On to 2021!

In the meantime...

We have update our sponsorship offerings to include one for players, who were planning to play. Please consider donating so we can provide enough athletic shoes for the neediest kids in our county as the school year approaches.

We are currently 67% behind our typical revenues. Help if you can!

Thanks in advance

Jak has been dedicated for many years in promoting and growing the sport of tennis through teaching, coaching, special event hosting, and especially by bringing players of all levels together for the love of the game. He frequently offers his services pro-bono.

Shoes for Kids Beginning in April 2020, our 12th year of the Kiwanis/Shoes for Kids Tennis Charity tournament, the event will become the RUTH SHIFLETT SHOES FOR KIDS TENNIS CHARITY in honor of Ruth, who sadly passed away July 2019.

Ruth, our player hospitality coordinator, hostess and much more, was a tireless supporter of the fund raiser and its great success, and always exemplified to the nth degree the spirit of providing for the neediest children in Charlotte County.

Shoes for Kids Project raises funds and collects new, donated shoes through numerous events throughout the year.

This year's event was hosted in Punta Gorda by the Twin Isles Country Club and presented by Thomas Gruber Creek Side RV Resort. In the 10-year history of this tennis event, a total of $49,000 has been raised through sponsorships, donations, player entry fees and raffles. This has afforded thousands of athletic shoes for the neediest children in Charlotte County, distributed throughout the school system.

Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte and Charlotte SUN sponsor the Shoes for Kids Project. They collect new tennis and/or athletic shoes of any size for children (pre-K, elementary, middle and high) for the Charlotte County, FL public school system. These shoes are then distributed to students who are in need of a new pair of sneakers.

Contact: Christy Smith at 941-637-5611 or christyksmith@embarqmail.com, or write to Christy at: 1489 Market Circle, Unit 308, Port Charlotte, FL 33953, for locations to drop off shoes or for making a monetary donation to this worthy local cause anytime!

April, 2019 Shoes for Kids Event

A heartfelt Thank You to all who participated, attended and donated to this year's Shoes for Kids Tennis Championships!

(click to enlarge pictures)
Shoes For Kids sponsor banner
Thanks to all our major sponsors, and all the individual sponsors as well!

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Bag Check

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Christy on High Alert

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Meghan

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Doubles

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Doubles

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Meghan

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Karen, Anne, Mark, Rich

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Doubles

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Patty at the Draw Party

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Final

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
A thumbs up

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Enjoying the event

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Discussing the game

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Ready to go?!

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Preparing to Serve

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Reiner

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Incoming

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Jackie Faulk

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Lisa

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Congrats

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Peggy, Steve, Jack

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Men's Singles

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Men's Singles

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Men's Singles

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Patti Linn in Gallery

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Fun with Friends

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Scrutiny by the Chair Umpire

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Stephan

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Susan Wins

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
The Gallery

Shoes For Kids Tennis Tournament, Jak Beardsworth
Tournament Director Jak Beardsworth

Pictures Courtesy of Deb Peterson and Sue Parks