The United States Professional Tennis Association is launching a national campaign to assist its member tennis-teaching professionals and their families who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Many are dealing with damage to/loss of their facilities and homes. USPTA is asking for donations to assist these members as they recover from the recent disaster caused by the hurricane and in the following divisions: New England, Eastern, Middle States and Mid-Atlantic. Donations may be made on USPTA's website at www.uspta.com or by clicking here.

Donations of cash or assistance with temporary or permanent jobs will be accepted and recorded by the USPTA World Headquarters and distributed by USPTA's New England, Eastern, Middle States and Mid-Atlantic divisions and districts. As specific requirements are clearly defined, the divisions will work with individual USPTA members in the affected areas to distribute 100 percent of the donations received. Donations may be used to help members obtain temporary housing, food, water and other essentials.

USPTA also is asking people to provide displaced tennis teachers with jobs if they have openings for a few weeks, months or longer.

If you are in need of assistance or know of someone who is in need of assistance at this time, please contact the appropriate person in your division below:

Bill Mecca, USPTA Eastern Division, at allstartennis@optonline.net

Jerri DiCamillo, USPTA New England Division, at jerridicamillo@cox.net

Tim Irwin, USPTA Middle States Division, at usptaexdirms@comcast.net

John Cleary, USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division, at john.cleary@lakewoodcc.org