Tennis, Golf Fundraisers Benefit UA RISE Center

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama RISE Center is set to host its annual tennis and golf tournament fundraisers and CHIP in for RISE silent auction this month.

The RISE Tennis Tournament will be held April 10-11 at the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center, 715 21st Ave. E. Men's and women's doubles take place April 10, followed by mixed doubles April 11. The cost per team is $100.

The RISE Tournament of Champions golf tournament will be held April 16-17 at The Westerfield Club, 3100 Yacht Club Way. The four-person drop out scramble requires handicaps, with morning and afternoon tee times available both days.

Team registration for the golf tournament begins at $3,000 per four-person team. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams with the best gross and net scores and include televisions, paddle boards, range finders, travel golf bags, Top Golf experiences, art prints of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium signed by Nick Saban and other Alabama-related memorabilia. Golfers will also receive a gift upon check-in and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals and businesses who wish to support RISE without competing in the tournaments.

The CHIP In for RISE silent auction will take place April 16 from 6-9 p.m. at The University Club, 421 Queen City Blvd. Online bidding opens April 14 and closes at the conclusion of the in-person event. New this year, the event will feature an exciting live auction starting at 7:30 p.m. packed with exclusive experiences and packages only available at the in-person event.

"RISE is always looking for new ways to meet the needs of families in our community who would benefit from the therapy services we offer. The number of families seeking services continues to increase beyond our program's current capacity," said Andi Gillen, director of the UA RISE Center. "We believe it is our responsibility to expand the programs we offer. The funds raised at this event will allow us to maintain our high-quality early intervention and preschool program and creatively seek ways to reach more families to give all children the opportunity to meet their maximum potential."

The cost per child to attend RISE five days a week has exceeded $20,000 annually. While RISE receives funding from UA, an endowment and has contracts with local school systems, fundraisers like the golf and tennis tournaments are crucial to the school's success.

There are eight RISE programs across the country and RISE Tuscaloosa is the only program where all children needing therapy services continue to attend RISE Center at no cost. Fundraising support has been instrumental in the program's longevity and its ability to provide much needed early intervention services to children of varying abilities in the Tuscaloosa area.

For more information about the tournaments, silent auction, sponsorship opportunities and to register, call RISE at 205-348-7931 or visit the RISE Center website.