Vermont Dream Project, Inc.
501(c)(3)
Racquet Replay Program
Donate your old racquets so someone can enjoy a new sport!
The Racquet Replay Program recycles old tennis racquets by collecting, repairing and sharing them with those who will appreciate them most. Collections are made when gently used racquets are donated by community members to drop bins located in area tennis clubs, schools, and businesses. The Vermont Dream Project ensures that any racquets in need of repair work are fixed before they are shared with the community through donations of new strings, grips and racquet covers. The United States Tennis Association New England has recognized and endorsed the program, generously providing numerous new racquets to supplement local collections. This support has led to the program's growth and success throughout New England.
Racquets are available to check out from local community libraries, and others are donated directly to individual players or groups who show an interest and dedication to the game but may not be able to afford their own tennis racquet. In addition to various community libraries, some of the organizations that receive racquets are the King Street Center Kids on the Ball Programs, the Parks and Recreation Department USTA Quick Start Programs, and the Sister City Programs.
PROJECTS
Reading & Racquet Partnerships
The Vermont Dream Project first established mentor programs to create a set of resources in support of academic and athletic advancement. Local community volunteers are partnered with younger program participants to work on school or literacy-related projects. Given the mutual passion for tennis that initially brought both the mentors and mentees to VDP, many of these mentor programs also involve coaching and practicing the sport together. Programs are fluid based on the individual goals and interests.
The popularity of these programs has also led to the establishment of community reading rooms by the Vermont Dream Project to provide tables, chairs, and bookshelves while coordinating a constant flow of books to share. Local teenagers participate after school programs for younger students here, and during the warmer months the Racquet Replay Program provides bins of tennis racquets and balls for practice on nearby local courts.
Sister City Program
In 2012 the South Burlington Interact Club, a global community service group supported by Rotary International, was founded by Anna Wulfson and took off running. Interact teamed with Vermont Dream Project, Inc., which has resulted in programs reaching from Vermont to South Africa. Each year VDP has collaborated with Interact on community and international service projects.
Over the past years the focus has been on a combination of literacy and sports, which led to the "smartpack." Burton Snowboards and the United States Tennis Association have donated hundreds of backpacks and tennis racquets, while Barnes and Noble has supported the program with numerous books for students of all reading levels. Businesses and community members have provided art and school supplies, and countless volunteers have contributed time and energy to fill the "smartpacks" and help share them with kids throughout all of the VDP parnter cities.
Sister City Programs continue to form bonds between Vermont communities and communities around the world. Our recent Sister City Program has joined Vermont with the New Orleans Youth Tennis Association and Tulane University. Over 100 children received tennis racquets and joined a mentor program with University students.
Community Courts
The Vermont Dream Project helps to raise funds to aid in repairing and maintaining community tennis courts. This includes surface repair, net posts, nets, fences, and wind screens. The project also supports the programs that take place on these courts.
The community courts we will focus on are the sites of multiple programs for students to learn a life-long sport while developing new skills and forging new friendships. The Vermont Dream Project partnership also provides numerous volunteer opportunities for high school and college students to become involve in these community courts-related tennis programs.
Community courts in various locations are already open for play. In many cases a community library is conveniently located nearby, and the Racquet Replay Program is expanding to make more tennis racquets available for check-out at these libraries.
Souls for Sneakers
Souls for Sneakers is a program that began in conjunction with the South Burlington High School Coalition for Community Service. Vermont Dream Project first partnered with the school community to collect and distribute new and gently used sneakers. Given the overwhelming support, the program has since expanded to other schools and community locations throughout the U.S. Souls for Sneakers is Vermont Dream Project's simplest yet most fundamental program, enabling children who don’t have the proper footwear to fully engage in not only tennis, but a wide range of athletic activities.
