"Rally on Ridge!"

Annual Gala Benefit

April 27, 2007

On April 27, 2007 Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education hosted its annual benefit. This year's theme was the “Rally on Ridge”. The event was a true team effort orchestrated by “Rally on Ridge” Co-Chairs, Raye and Jerry Johnson.

"Rally on Ridge" Co-Chairs, Raye and Jerry Johnson

With the help of our sponsors and countless hours put in by volunteers and staff, we rallied to raise $1.1 million. Moreover, each of the 1,000 attendees left with a clearer understanding of how AAYTE brings hope, joy and promise to nearly every neighborhood in Philadelphia! Every dollar raised at the “Rally on Ridge” will go directly to our children's programming.

As they entered the facility from Ridge Avenue, guests were greeted by the Germantown High School Drum Corps, AAYTE Goodstein Junior Leaders and members of the Philadelphia 76ers and Soul Dance teams to rally support for AAYTE. Once inside, they discovered that the entire facility had been transformed into a grand party space. Our attendees enthusiastically bid on a multitude of silent auction items ranging from gift certificates to the area's top restaurants, to prime seating at various sporting and theatrical events, as well as fabulous trips to various destinations around the world.

Lauren Hart got the night's program off to a rousing start with her rendition of
“God Bless America ,” with audio/video taped accompaniment by Kate Smith on the overhead giant screen. Former New York City Mayor and valued friend of AAYTE, David Dinkins shared emcee duty with renowned broadcaster/journalist, Bud Collins. A powerful video produced and edited by CN8's Mary Carraciolli was shown that was followed by a moving performance by AAYTE's own American Idol Luis Figueroa-Roig and children from our Love 2 Serve program.

Winning Bidders of the US Open President's Suite!

The night concluded with spirited bidding on our seven Live Auction items. A pair of VIP passes to Tiger Jam X in Las Vegas captured the high bid of the night with spirited bidding waged by several guests competing for this once-in-a-life-time outing. Other Live Auction Items included tickets to the US Open President's Suite, tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show, a Luxury Tour of Your Choice by Swain Tours, exclusive use of a Private Jet, a 14-Carat Tennis Bracelet and two separate week-long vacations at a luxurious 5 Bedroom/ 5 Bath Tuscan Villa.

Celebrity guests at “Rally on Ridge” included: PTR founder Dennis Van Der Meer, USTA President Jane Brown Grimes, Howard Eskin, Leslie Gudel, Bud Collins, Bernie Parent, Joe Watson, Sonny Hill, Monica Malpass, Beasley Reece, Dan Santorum, Tony Trabert, Vic Seixas, Linda Swain, Frank Deford, and Tim Mayotte.

"Rally on Ridge" Photo Gallery

Special Thanks to our Patrons and Friends for making the evening a rousing success!

Principal Sponsor
Advanta

Presenting Sponsors
Comcast-Spectacor

Keystone Mercy Health Plan

PNC Bank

Grandslam Patrons
Campbell Soup Company

David Cutler Group

Radnor Trust Company

Champion Patrons
The Elite Group

Heuer Foundation
PECO, An Exelon Company

Topseed Patrons
Axum Partners/Raye & Jerry Johnson - Blank Rome - William C. Buck - CDI Corporation

Heffler, Radetich & Saitta - IECA Foundation - J & J Snack Foods -

Lincoln Mercury Dealers Association of Philadelphia - PRWT /Willie Johnson

The Residences - Swain Tours - United States Tennis Association -

Wolf Block Schorr Solis-Cohen - WT Graphics

Challenger Patrons
The Addis Group - Altec/Asplundh - The Bedrock Group /Charles Block - Letitia C. Biddle - Francine & Kenneth Boone - Brasler Properties / Sibby & Bob Brasler -

Guy Lauren & Rebecca Butterfield - Commerce Bank - Cross Atlantic Capital Partners - Davidson Capital Management - Egan Bloom & Associates - Harvey Goodstein Charitable Foundation - Haverford Trust Company - HF "Gerry" Lenfest - HP/Premier Systems -

Kohn, Swift & Graf - Gail & Sandy Lipstein - Merrill Lynch - Metro Philadelphia -

The Musser Foundation - Preferred Real Estate Investments /Michael & Jeannie O'Neill - Suzanne & Scott Rehl - Ronald McDonald House Charities - Saul Ewing -

Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis - Irene & Fred Shabel - SRM Entertainment -

Tasty Baking Foundation - Robbi & Bruce Toll - Universal Health Services -

USTA/Middle States - Carole & Jay Weitzman

Host Hotels:

The Four Seasons Philadelphia and Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing
Catering by Restaurant Associates

Special Effects/Staging: Fred Stein - The Creative Group, Inc.

For more information regarding "Rally on Ridge!" or how you can help support AAYTE,

Please call 215-487-3477