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Dear Pine Tree Family,
For each of the past 39 summers, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic (PTATC) has been an August gathering you don’t want to miss. A mixed doubles tennis event that started in 1986, the tournament has now raised over $7.5 million supporting groundbreaking outcomes by the doctors and researchers at Children’s Minnesota and over 600 hospitals around the world as they discover better care treatments, and some day, a cure for childhood cancer.
The PTATC’s long-standing tradition is a testament to the power of our Founding Family’s vision, and the steadfast commitment of so many dedicated people over the years - everyone from the players, sponsors, volunteers, donors, staff at Children’s Minnesota, the patients, and more. We are especially grateful for all you do in making this event the premier mixed doubles tournament and fundraiser in the upper Midwest.
The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic would not be possible without the support of our many generous sponsors and donors including the Peterson Family (our Founding Family), the Jacobson Family Pine Tree Apple Orchard (our Founding Sponsor), Life Time White Bear (our Site Sponsor), our Event and Presenting sponsors, and all of our sponsors, donors, tennis players and volunteers who make the PTATC happen.
This year, 184 players are participating in this year's tournament - the most in the history - coming from as far away as California, New York, Connecticut, Tennessee and Illinois. Our defending champions are back in every division this year. We have 26 first-time players in the adult draws, including Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen! Lindsay has taken up tennis since her retirement from basketball and is playing in the Master's Division of this year's tournament with Pine Tree legend Clay Sollenberger. The food tent is already stocking up on apple donuts and turnovers, brats and chicken sandwiches. On Saturday night, Mary Cornell will be preparing her famous ribs as part of a BBQ fundraiser supporting the cause ... and back again for 2024 is our Smashing Apple Sangria Signature Drink! We also have a number of incredible items for this year's online auction including a pair of tickets 5 rows behind the Indiana Fever bench when Caitlin Clark plays the Minnesota Lynx on Maya Moore jersey retirement night, as well as tickets to the Western & Southern Open, a Rafa Nadal Equipment package and much, much more. This year will be the biggest and best Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic yet!
Off the court, we continue to be amazed and humbled by the dedication of the research team at Children’s Minnesota, whose work not only helps children survive, but also thrive during and after treatment. We are so proud of their work in developing two world-renowned tumor registries, the development of an international prospective clinical trial to translate findings from the lab into clinical care, and the creation of a nationally recognized model of rehabilitation for childhood cancer patients. The team has published countless research papers, delivered numerous presentations on research findings and collaborated on a regular basis with researchers and care providers all over the world to help children with these rare cancers in the hopes of finding a cure.
The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board is enthusiastic about our mission to be a positive force in the health and well-being of kids with childhood diseases and their families and strive in continually making a difference. There is always room for more. If you have an interest in joining this wonderful team of volunteers, please let us know.
Thank you again for being an integral part of this event! We could not do it without you!
Game, Set, Cure!
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors
Kevin Werwie, President
Nancy Jacobson, Treasurer
Matt Narr, Secretary
Barry Dobson, Director
Norm Longsdorf, Director
Cheryl Yasis, Director
Mike Yates, Director
Lori Yates, Proxy Director
For each of the past 39 summers, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic (PTATC) has been an August gathering you don’t want to miss. A mixed doubles tennis event that started in 1986, the tournament has now raised over $7.5 million supporting groundbreaking outcomes by the doctors and researchers at Children’s Minnesota and over 600 hospitals around the world as they discover better care treatments, and some day, a cure for childhood cancer.
The PTATC’s long-standing tradition is a testament to the power of our Founding Family’s vision, and the steadfast commitment of so many dedicated people over the years - everyone from the players, sponsors, volunteers, donors, staff at Children’s Minnesota, the patients, and more. We are especially grateful for all you do in making this event the premier mixed doubles tournament and fundraiser in the upper Midwest.
The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic would not be possible without the support of our many generous sponsors and donors including the Peterson Family (our Founding Family), the Jacobson Family Pine Tree Apple Orchard (our Founding Sponsor), Life Time White Bear (our Site Sponsor), our Event and Presenting sponsors, and all of our sponsors, donors, tennis players and volunteers who make the PTATC happen.
This year, 184 players are participating in this year's tournament - the most in the history - coming from as far away as California, New York, Connecticut, Tennessee and Illinois. Our defending champions are back in every division this year. We have 26 first-time players in the adult draws, including Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen! Lindsay has taken up tennis since her retirement from basketball and is playing in the Master's Division of this year's tournament with Pine Tree legend Clay Sollenberger. The food tent is already stocking up on apple donuts and turnovers, brats and chicken sandwiches. On Saturday night, Mary Cornell will be preparing her famous ribs as part of a BBQ fundraiser supporting the cause ... and back again for 2024 is our Smashing Apple Sangria Signature Drink! We also have a number of incredible items for this year's online auction including a pair of tickets 5 rows behind the Indiana Fever bench when Caitlin Clark plays the Minnesota Lynx on Maya Moore jersey retirement night, as well as tickets to the Western & Southern Open, a Rafa Nadal Equipment package and much, much more. This year will be the biggest and best Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic yet!
Off the court, we continue to be amazed and humbled by the dedication of the research team at Children’s Minnesota, whose work not only helps children survive, but also thrive during and after treatment. We are so proud of their work in developing two world-renowned tumor registries, the development of an international prospective clinical trial to translate findings from the lab into clinical care, and the creation of a nationally recognized model of rehabilitation for childhood cancer patients. The team has published countless research papers, delivered numerous presentations on research findings and collaborated on a regular basis with researchers and care providers all over the world to help children with these rare cancers in the hopes of finding a cure.
The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board is enthusiastic about our mission to be a positive force in the health and well-being of kids with childhood diseases and their families and strive in continually making a difference. There is always room for more. If you have an interest in joining this wonderful team of volunteers, please let us know.
Thank you again for being an integral part of this event! We could not do it without you!
Game, Set, Cure!
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors
Kevin Werwie, President
Nancy Jacobson, Treasurer
Matt Narr, Secretary
Barry Dobson, Director
Norm Longsdorf, Director
Cheryl Yasis, Director
Mike Yates, Director
Lori Yates, Proxy Director