Tennis Club holds turkey tourney, helps family

BY Ariana Shah

The Canyon Lake Tennis Club’s monthly tennis tournament took a back seat Saturday to the club coming together to help a family impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual Turkey Trot Team Mixer tournament was held, then the real gratification began.

With the club doing its best to abide by COVID-19 regulations and to continue to bring the community together, The Turkey Trot Team Mixer was held and Team 3 won with individual high score awards going to Tom Bol and Melissa Bol.

The Canyon Lake Tennis Club combined members’ efforts to donate over $2,000 in cash and goods to a Canyon Lake family impacted by COVID-19 employment cutbacks. Photo by Jeananne Woodman

Not only did members enjoy some great tennis and outdoor competition on the courts, it was also a day where members came together by bringing donations to help a family impacted financially by the pandemic.

“The Canyon Lake community came together to help a family in need,” Jennifer Denson, the club’s Social Media Contact, said. “Everyone was so generous and donated money and several food items to the family in need.”

The family was doing fine in 2019 and then when COVID-19 hit, everything changed for them, Jennifer said. The wife’s overtime hours, which they counted on to pay their bills, were eliminated and the husband became disabled and has been unable to work.

Before they knew it, they were three months in arrears with their utility bills, POA dues and mortgage payments, she said. They also had a pipe burst in their home which caused damage and resulted in an insurance payment. Instead of fixing the damage from the flooding, the family used the money to buy food, so now their house is still in need of repair.

Canyon Lake Tennis Club Treasurer Jeananne Woodman helped the club members spring into action. Within a week’s time, the tennis club pulled together and donated $1,485 in cash, $470 in gift cards and many food items and paper goods.

“The look on their faces, when I presented them with these, was priceless,” Jeananne said. “I was blessed to be able to be the one to witness a family who was so grateful for all of the food, gift cards and monetary donations! The family expressed so much joy and gratitude. With deep gratitude and appreciation, we say thank you to the Canyon Lake Tennis Club members and the board.’’