April 16, 2007 — The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix will hold its 15th Annual Tennis Classic Thursday through Sunday, according to a news release from the coalition.
The event serves a dual purpose for the coalition — it attracts attention to the needed work it does in the community as an advocacy group for battered women and children, and it raises money so the agency can also provide 24-hour advocacy for all victims.
"Our mission is to reduce and prevent all forms of family violence," the news release said. "The Women’s Coalition Tennis Tourney is a great way to have fun and support our vital response to provide 24-hour crisis intervention services to crime victims."
The tournament, hosted by the Buccaneer Hotel Tennis Club, includes eight different categories of single-elimination play. Don de Wilde, the hotel’s tennis director, is also director for the tournament.
The tournament usually attracts more than 100 players from St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and the U.S. Mainland to play in Men’s A & B & C Doubles; Women’s A, B & C Doubles; and Mixed A & B Doubles. Its Major Sponsor is the Virgin Islands Community Bank. Supporting Sponsors are: Coldwell Banker Land de Wilde Realty, Francisco Depusior, CPA, Toyota of St. Croix, Ana B. Watson Wyatt V.I. Inc., Sterling Optical, Virgin Islands Lottery, Divi Carina Bay Casino & HOVENSA L.L.C.
Contributing Sponsors are: Law Office of Diane Russell, Richard Fraebel, D.M.D, Dr. Richard Van Heckman, DDS, Law Office of Joel Holt, 4 Star Real Estate, Plaza Extra East, Flagstar Bank V.I. Home Loan Center Quality Medical Equipment and Supplies, Inc., Golden Rock Pharmacy, Caribbean Cooling, Inc., Hendricks International, St. Croix’s Honda & Acura Center.
Patrons are VI Regulated Waste Management, Easterly Building: (Options Alternative Greenery), (PC Paradise), M & M Construction, Hertz Rent-A-Car, Primary Care, P.L.L.C., Antillean Engineers, Inc., Undercover Books, Food Town, Cost-U-Less, Oscar Refrigeration and Furniture Center, Brignoni Mahogany Woodwork.
Tennis Balls are provided by HH Tire & Battery.
On Friday, April 20th, there is a welcoming cocktail party for the players at 5 p.m. at the Buccaneer Hotel Tennis Club.
The awards banquet which will be held on Sunday, concludes the event, honoring the sponsors, congratulating the participants and enjoying appetizers and drinks at the Grotto (on the grounds of the Buccaneer Hotel), scheduled to begin at approximately 6 p.m. Sunday.
"Trophies will be awarded to all winners and finalists, and each participant receives a special goodie bag with lots of exciting things in it," the news release said.
During the tournament, fans can chart the progress of their favorite local players by visiting the Women’s Coalition’s website.
For more information, please call the Women’s Coalition at 773-9272.