Roddick, Friends Serve One Up For Kids Charity

The star-studded tennis cast that included former men’s No. 1 Jim Courier and three-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams underscored the main purpose of the fifth annual Andy Roddick Foundation pro-celebrity charity event.

Sure there was a shock and awe factor involved for those who attended the sold out event on the grounds of the Polo Club on Sunday. To see world-renown players close up in a casual setting is not an everyday experience. But the appearances of these individuals – five-time Grammy Award winner Lionel Richie performed Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood – is made possible because of their ongoing work to support philanthropy.

On Nov. 17, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Andy Roddick Foundation the “Outstanding Foundation” award at the Broward County Convention Center. Roddick started the foundation when he was just a teenager five years ago and since then it has raised nearly $3 million.

“I am really proud of how far we have come in the past few years,” Andy’s mother, Blanche Roddick, said. “We are very honored to be receiving this award as such a young foundation.”

Roddick, who claimed five ATP Tour titles in 2005, remains the No. 3 player in the world. Growing up in an affluent town like Boca Raton, Roddick often came in contact with people who were fortunate enough to provide for their families. As his tennis career began to take off and he won event after event, he decided to use his status for a good cause.

And while Grand Slams and the Davis Cup are Roddick’s biggest priorities on the court in 2006 for the grass court specialist, he does concede there are more important issues in life than sports.

“The idea is we are Helping Children Today for tomorrow, putting in the work now, reaching out early to improve their quality of life and opportunities in the future,” Roddick said.
Sebastien Grosjean, ranked No. 26, trains in Boca Raton and has been supporting the foundation since its inception.

“I was here at the first event four years ago and it is great for the players and kids,” said Grosjean, a member of the French Davis Cup team.
“Anyway to help children is great. I have two kids and I am really proud of what [Andy] is doing.”