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CHAMPIONS FOR CHARITY POSTPONED

Plans for the Event to return in 2010 underway

Wichita, KS (November 9, 2009) - The second edition of Champions for Charity, originally scheduled for December 6, 2009 at Hartman Arena featuring Melanie Oudin, Bob and Mike Bryan, John Isner and Mardy Fish, has been postponed. Developed as a fundraiser for the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT), the Board of Directors decided to shift focus towards potentially hosting the event in 2010 rather than 2009 due to the current state of the economy in the region.

“Our original intention was to host an event in 2009 to provide a positive economic impact, further establish our state and city as a place for great tennis, and raise money for GFFT to help encourage more young kids to pick up a racquet and healthy habits early in life”, said Bill Faflick, GFFT Board President. “However, after careful consideration, we realized now is not the appropriate time to ask area residents and corporations to fund other initiatives outside of their own. We want to thank ticket buyers and others who supported the event in 2009 and apologize for any inconvenience.”

In its inaugural year in 2006, Champions for Charity featured Andy Roddick and was played at the Rock Road location of Genesis Health Clubs. The Event was sold-out (nearly 3,000 spectators) and helped raise over $20,000 for the Daniel M. Carney Rehabilitation Engineering Center Wheelchair Seating Program for Children at the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) and the newly created Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT). Organizers feel strongly that with the opening of the new state-of-the-art Hartman Arena in 2009, the event can be equally if not more successful in the near future. Plans for Champions for Charity to return in 2010 are currently underway as area corporations have indicated strong interest in supporting the event in the future.

Those who purchased tickets for 2009 will be refunded accordingly and should contact the Hartman Arena Box Office, 316-927-3999, located at 8151 N. Hartman Arena Dr., Park City, KS 67147.  For more information visit www.hartmanarena.com.

Welcome to GFFT

For more than 20 years, Genesis Health Clubs has grown with the community, watching our members improve their lives as the result of physical activity.

My staff and I have also had the privilege of seeing many young people build character and self-esteem as they discover the benefits of physical activity. It’s no secret that the earlier in life we can instill this healthy habit, the more profound the change. Lifelong habits frequently lead to healthier adults.

With this in mind, Genesis Health Clubs has expanded its mission to provide a select number of funding opportunities for young people each year. The Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT) is designed to provide critical funding for a wide array of physical endeavors for young people who demonstrate the greatest need and the strongest commitment.

Recipients may come from disadvantaged or at-risk backgrounds, or simply demonstrate a legitimate need and commitment. Scholarships may be awarded for something as simple as a new walking program for area students or as monumental as high-level training for an Olympic-hopeful.

If you know of such a need, we invite you to fill out the enclosed application, or pass it on to someone you know. The guidelines and application can be found on the enclosed pages. We cannot promise funding to all who apply, but we can promise that all applications will be thoughtfully reviewed by our Board of Directors.