'Transforming communities': Nonprofit serving at-risk kids hosts tennis fundraiser in Palm Beach

The former fifth-ranked men's tennis player in the world took the court at Phipps Ocean Park last weekend as part of a fundraiser to support underprivileged children.

Kevin Anderson, a seven-time champion on the Association of Tennis Professionals tour, was one of numerous tennis pros who helped raise money for First Serve, a West Palm Beach-based nonprofit organization that uses sports to positively impact the lives of at-risk youth.

The organization, whose CEO, Mario Mercurio, lives in Palm Beach, provides sports instruction, educational programs and mentoring opportunities for more than 200 children throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties.

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Its community partners include the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and local Police Athletic League chapters, said Sean Melton, the organization's director of training and education.

"Our organization has always been about transforming communities from the inside out," Melton said. "Cultivating lasting change begins with pouring resources into communities. Through trusted partners, we go into tough neighborhoods and we find exceptional people who care about their communities. We hire them to work as mentors and tutors."

Fourteen mentors are working with kids at six locations — Belle Glade and Hobe Sound, PBSO-PAL sites in Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach, and a Dimensional Harmony choral group chapter in West Palm Beach.

Their work is integral in impacting the lives of at-risk kids, Melton said.

"They're invested in education and personal development," he said. "We've given them the tools to actually change their own communities."

Last weekend's fund-raising event, which paired amateur tennis players with professionals — in addition to Anderson, other tennis pros included Johan Kriek, John Lloyd, Guillermo Canas, Robert Lindstedt and Eric Prodon — was modeled after an event held last spring.

It was organized by Paul Van der Grift, a longtime resident of Palm Beach who died in December. Van der Grift served as president of the board for First Serve, and he devoted much of his time to the organization, Melton said.

"He donated his time, money, energy, resources and ideas," Melton said of Van der Grift, an actor and documentary filmmaker who was active in charity work on the island. "The organization was one of Paul's children."

The Phipps Park event drew about 30 people, Melton said, including amateur tennis players, tennis pros and bystanders who were at Phipps Ocean Park and stopped by to watch the tournament.

Amateur tennis players who donated to First Serve were given the opportunity to take the court against a professional, while others chose to donate but did not play.

Nearly $110,000 was raised for the organization through the three-hour event, which has been renamed the Paul Van der Grift Memorial Tournament.

"It was extremely successful," Melton said. "We're thrilled. We're so grateful for those who donated. We're grateful for the work they're doing with these kids. It is phenomenal."

Melton said First Serve hopes to make the Paul Van der Grift Memorial Tournament an annual event, but plans already are underway for another fund-raising event to be held in December, most likely in Palm Beach. That event could combine a tennis tournament with a dinner, Melton said, with proceeds benefiting First Serve.

The organization, founded 28 years ago, works in tandem with churches, community centers, public schools, law enforcement agencies and other groups to positively impact communities.

"The key thing that makes us different from other organizations is the fact that instead of just throwing money at the problem, we're actually investing in getting these kids their education," he said.

For information on First Serve, visit firstserveusa.org.

Jodie Wagner is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

@JRWagner5

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Kevin Anderson plays tennis benefit fundraiser for West Palm non-profit