Tennis-Thon will benefit food bank

Tennis, everyone? The place to be is the Medical Lake 16-hour Tennis-Thon at the high school, Wednesday and next Thursday.

This is the fourth year that boys tennis coach Leroy Lemaster is behind the fun and games, which serve as a benefit for the Medical Lake Food Bank Outreach Program and high school tennis program. Beginners to advanced players of all ages are invited to participate from noon to midnight Wednesday and from 8 a.m. un till noon next Thursday.

Lemaster and some of his players, including two-time State 2A runner-up Zak Nelson, will give free lessons for children during the first four hours. The Cardinals are back-to-back State 2A champs.

After the lessons, adults and kids will get the chance to play in 45-minute increments. There also will be games, prizes and raffles.

Lemaster, who took up tennis in the 1950s, said he came up with the idea of a tennis fund-raiser during a recreation-league softball game several years ago. He was told the food bank was getting short on supplies, and he wanted to help.

Over the years, amounts between $1,250 to $3,000 have been raised. The 24 straight-hour format has since been spread over two days. Lemaster estimated 100 people participated last year.

Those interested can pick up pledge sheets at City Hall, 124 S. Lefevre, Medical Lake. For more information, call Lemaster at 299-3615 or the city Parks Department at 565-5007.