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 $8 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, 186 players participated in this year's tournament - the most in the history - coming from as far away as California, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, California, Tennessee and Illinois. We also welcomed Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen to the tournament, who after retiring from basketball started playing tennis again and was in this year's Master's Division with Pine Tree legend Clay Sollenberger. The food tent was stocked up on apple donuts and turnovers, brats and chicken sandwiches. On Saturday night, Mary Cornell prepared her famous ribs as part of a BBQ fundraiser supporting the cause that raised $1,800 ... and back again for 2024 is our Smashing Apple Sangria Signature Drink! 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.
We also announced during the Friday Night Appreciation Party a new partnership with Children's Minnesota - the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund supporting patients and families from beginning of their journey to well after their treatment is complete by funding research initiatives in support of nurses and other advanced care practitioners in the Hematology/Oncology wing of Children’s Minnesota. Pine Tree founder Ron Peterson also made a lead gift of $100,000 in support of this new $1 million initiative.
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 $8 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, 186 players participated in this year's tournament - the most in the history - coming from as far away as California, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, California, Tennessee and Illinois. We also welcomed Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen to the tournament, who after retiring from basketball started playing tennis again and was in this year's Master's Division with Pine Tree legend Clay Sollenberger. The food tent was stocked up on apple donuts and turnovers, brats and chicken sandwiches. On Saturday night, Mary Cornell prepared her famous ribs as part of a BBQ fundraiser supporting the cause that raised $1,800 ... and back again for 2024 is our Smashing Apple Sangria Signature Drink! 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.
We also announced during the Friday Night Appreciation Party a new partnership with Children's Minnesota - the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund supporting patients and families from beginning of their journey to well after their treatment is complete by funding research initiatives in support of nurses and other advanced care practitioners in the Hematology/Oncology wing of Children’s Minnesota. Pine Tree founder Ron Peterson also made a lead gift of $100,000 in support of this new $1 million initiative.
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