Weekend Cinnaminson Tennis Tourney to Benefit Two Charities

Two young Cinnaminson women are taking their love of tennis to the next level by pairing up a doubles tournament with fundraising for charity.

Earlier this year, best friends and 2011 graduates Melissa Carberry and Ally Friedrich, were looking forward to a summer of tennis together. The two had been doubles partners on the high school team.

They play tennis nearly every day in the summer, Carberry said.

“Let’s do something to help people while playing tennis,” Carberry said she said to Friedrich.

In January, the two started to plan a tennis tournament where all proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

This Saturday and Sunday at , more than 20 men and women will play just men’s and mixed doubles games. The entry fee is $20 and includes a tee shirt and food donated by . Shirts will be sold for $10 to non-players.

“Whatever money we make, well split it in half between the charities,” Carberry said.

Carberry, a biology major at Albright University in Reading, PA, chose CHOP to donate to since as a child, she spent time there. Friedrich, who studies math and education at the University of Scranton, is very involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She and her college friends are trying to start a campus chapter.

“It’s about trying to give back,” Friedrich said, “and do more than the two of us just playing tennis.”

The two got local sponsors from around town and even raffle baskets from the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers.

, train both girls and helped spread the word to his students. About 22 people are playing in the weekend tournament. Carberry said people can still sign up and if interested, should email tennisforcharity@yahoo.com.

Next year, Carberry said they hope to expand.

“I just enjoy helping people out,” she said. “It’s kind of my personality. I like giving back.”

For more information, click here to see the event's website.