Dear Pine Tree Family,
For each of the past 37 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 $6.4 million supporting groundbreaking outcomes by the doctors and researchers at Children’s Minnesota and over 200 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.
In 2021, we welcomed you back to PTATC in a familiar format for some amazing tennis, delicious food and drink and much-welcomed community. We enjoyed a record-breaking year in supporting the cause, raising over $350,000 and presenting a check for $256,000 to Children’s Minnesota in December. We also added new elements to the tournament including a very successful Art Crawl featuring pieces created by patients at Children’s Minnesota and local artists. We celebrated the late Jason Albrecht - an incredible man who was the first-ever PPB patient, and who dedicated his life to helping other patients and families affected by rare cancers - by inducted him into the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Hall of Fame posthumously. We met our 2021 Honored Patient Owen and his family at the Sunday ceremony, as well as Molly and Roy Santa Croce who introduced us to the incredible legacy of their daughter Megan (our 2021 Honored Angel) at Friday’s party, and reminded us to spread our arms wide, look to the sky and “Live Like Megan.”
Finally in 2021, together with our partners at Children’s Minnesota, we celebrated the establishment of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, and the appointment of Dr. Kris Ann Schultz as the inaugural holder of the position. This Chair, which is only the third-ever endowed chair at Children’s Minnesota, is a direct result of your generosity and ensures dedicated research continues in eventually finding a cure to rare cancers for many years to come.
This year’s tournament promises to be even better, with over 150 players participating this year, the return of the Art Crawl, the creation of the Junior Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic in which 40 of the best junior players in the area are playing and have already raised over $15,000 for the cause, the introduction of the NEW Match Point Mimosa Signature Drink, and much more!
This event 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.
We continue to be amazed 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. We want to thank Dee Gaeddert for her tremendous contributions and service on our Board since the creation of our 501(c)(3), and welcome Shannon Matson, our newest Board Member, to the Pine Tree family. 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!
2022 Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors
Kevin Werwie, President
Nancy Jacobson, Treasurer
Norm Longsdorf, Director
Shannon Matson, Director
Matt Narr, Director
Cheryl Yasis, Director
For each of the past 37 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 $6.4 million supporting groundbreaking outcomes by the doctors and researchers at Children’s Minnesota and over 200 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.
In 2021, we welcomed you back to PTATC in a familiar format for some amazing tennis, delicious food and drink and much-welcomed community. We enjoyed a record-breaking year in supporting the cause, raising over $350,000 and presenting a check for $256,000 to Children’s Minnesota in December. We also added new elements to the tournament including a very successful Art Crawl featuring pieces created by patients at Children’s Minnesota and local artists. We celebrated the late Jason Albrecht - an incredible man who was the first-ever PPB patient, and who dedicated his life to helping other patients and families affected by rare cancers - by inducted him into the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Hall of Fame posthumously. We met our 2021 Honored Patient Owen and his family at the Sunday ceremony, as well as Molly and Roy Santa Croce who introduced us to the incredible legacy of their daughter Megan (our 2021 Honored Angel) at Friday’s party, and reminded us to spread our arms wide, look to the sky and “Live Like Megan.”
Finally in 2021, together with our partners at Children’s Minnesota, we celebrated the establishment of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, and the appointment of Dr. Kris Ann Schultz as the inaugural holder of the position. This Chair, which is only the third-ever endowed chair at Children’s Minnesota, is a direct result of your generosity and ensures dedicated research continues in eventually finding a cure to rare cancers for many years to come.
This year’s tournament promises to be even better, with over 150 players participating this year, the return of the Art Crawl, the creation of the Junior Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic in which 40 of the best junior players in the area are playing and have already raised over $15,000 for the cause, the introduction of the NEW Match Point Mimosa Signature Drink, and much more!
This event 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.
We continue to be amazed 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. We want to thank Dee Gaeddert for her tremendous contributions and service on our Board since the creation of our 501(c)(3), and welcome Shannon Matson, our newest Board Member, to the Pine Tree family. 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!
2022 Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors
Kevin Werwie, President
Nancy Jacobson, Treasurer
Norm Longsdorf, Director
Shannon Matson, Director
Matt Narr, Director
Cheryl Yasis, Director