Tennis Mixer benefits The Bloom House
Published 5:25 pm Friday, May 3, 2019
Fans of tennis, food and supporting a good cause came out to InShape Fitness on Thursday evening to attend the Tennis Mixer and Dinner to benefit The Bloom House.
Thursday’s benefit marked The Bloom House’s first ever fundraiser since they opened up in 2016.
The Bloom House is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and serving children in the foster care system.
“It was this crazy idea I had because I felt like it needed to exist and I didn’t understand why it didn’t already,” said Kristen Jones, founder of the Bloom House. “We want to make these children real to the community, to make people understand they’re people just like you and me.”
Jones was excited about the turnout at the Tennis Mixer.
People filled the tennis courts at InShape fitness. Some of them participating in the tennis tournament and some of them just enjoying the event’s food and fellowship.
There was also artwork on display made by the foster children served by The Bloom House.
The art was done anonymously and featured brief statements about The Bloom House from the children like, “This is the safe place where the bad guy doesn’t hurt me anymore,” and “This is a foster home big enough that I can live with all my sisters. We all want that.”
“Some of these kids stories could jerk a tear out of a glass eye,” said Steve McCary, a Board Member for The Bloom House. “These kids just need one adult to step up and make a difference in their lives.”
After the tennis tournament winded down, a shrimp boil prepared Andrew Slagel was served to the hungry patrons.
Slagel was happy to be part of the event, stating that he would do “literally, anything” to help out.
“It’s an incredible cause,” he said, “they’ve really opened up our eyes to the need of good foster care in the community.”
Everyone enjoyed the meal prepared by Slagel as well as the wonderful weather.
The event was originally scheduled for April, but had to be rescheduled due to rain and storms.
“That worked out for the better though,” said Jones, “May is Foster Care Awareness Month.”
The money collected from Thursday night’s fundraiser will be used by The Bloom House to start a scholarship fund for foster teens and to build new care communities.
“Not everyone is called to adopt and raise these children,” said Jones. “But there’s something that everyone can do to help.”