Community notes

Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Zuker fund's first fundraiser a success

The Linda F. Zuker Memorial Youth Fund kicked off its first fund-raising event Oct. 2, at the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill.

More than 100 women turned out at The First Annual Ladies Tennis Tournament to raise money for the youth fund and to honor the memory of the late Zuker, who passed away in June. Always an advocate for children, she was an elementary school teacher in Braintree and continued through the years to spend much of her time working with youth. The monies raised at the tournament will be distributed to promote local youth education and activities, keeping her dreams alive.

The Oct. 2 event was a tennis round robin and luncheon followed by two check presentations. Eleven years ago when the athletic department's budget was cut, many assistant coaching positions at Newton South High School were eliminated. Zuker, aware of the detrimental effect the cut would have on the long term success of the tennis team, volunteered herself as the assistant coach of the girl's team. To continue her legacy, the Fund donated $1,500 to preserve the assistant coaching position. The check was presented to athletic director Bob Chrusz, and tennis coach/English teacher Bob Jampol, by her daughters, Danyel Zuker Rodgers and Lauren Zuker (both were captains and DCL all-stars on the Newton South Girl's Tennis Team.)

"Tenacity" was another recipient of the fund, with a gift of $2,000. Ed Zuker presented the check to Kate Flathers, one of the founding members. Tenacity is a year round youth development organization that offers free tennis instruction and academic enrichment to more than 2,000 Boston youth in the summer and intensive after-school programs that combine tennis instruction/competition and academic tutoring with a focus on life-skills.

Donations are welcome: Linda F. Zuker Memorial Youth Fund, P.O. Box 377, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.