Isner and Roddick to Participate in Justin Gimelstob Children’s Fund Tennis Exhibition at Centercourt Athletic Club
For the sixth time, New Jersey native and former tennis phenom Justin Gimelstob will host a tennis exhibition to raise money for a variety of children’s charities, including The Valerie Fund, a non-profit organization supporting comprehensive healthcare services for children with cancer and blood disorders. The Justin Gimelstob Children’s Fund (JGCF) Tennis Exhibition, set for Dec. 6 at Chatham’s Centercourt Athletic Club, features some of the best past and current tennis players in the world, and the audience will be treated to an intimate display of athletic prowess, great tennis and high energy entertainment. Gimelstob, who is now a sports broadcaster and player representative on the ATP World Tour Board of Directors, will be joined by former world number one and U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick; former world number four James Blake; current top American player John Isner; former Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe; and former world number 33 and current ATP World Tour player and N.J. resident Alex Bogomolov (all scheduled to attend). Also joining in the activities will be Gimelstob’s friends and tennis enthusiasts, Golden Globe Award winner David Duchovny and internationally-acclaimed model, Anne Vyalitsyna.
The players will be supervising junior and adult tennis clinics ($100 per session), as well as a free clinic for children 10 & under beginning at 4:00 p.m. The exhibition matches begin at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 11 and can be purchased at www.thevaleriefund.org/jgcf/. General admission tickets are $50 each and courtside box seats are $200. The proceeds from live and silent auctions, which feature unique tennis and entertainment memorabilia, as well as raffle sales, will go toward helping the patients at The Valerie Fund.
"When we started this event and my Foundation 15 years ago, I could never have imagined it would have grown into what it is today," said Gimelstob. "It brings me so much pleasure to come back home and bring world-class tennis with me…all for a great cause."
Roddick said, "We are going to put on an entertaining show Dec.6th, and I look forward to expanding my undefeated record against Justin, as well as supporting the Valerie Fund!"
"I know how dedicated Justin is to his foundation, and I am happy to help a good friend and support a great cause," said Isner. "I’ve heard excellent things about the event from some of the past participants, so I’m thrilled to join the other great players he has assembled this year."
After their nine year old daughter Valerie succumbed to cancer, Warren residents Ed and Sue Goldstein were determined that no family should have to travel great distances to receive life-saving medical care. Along with a group of close friends, they began fundraising efforts from their living room—tireless work that would lead to the 1977 opening of New Jersey’s first pediatric oncology facility at Summit’s Overlook Hospital.
The Goldsteins also pioneered the concept of treating and healing the whole child and family. Although not yet recognized by the medical community, they intuitively understood that providing comprehensive health care—integrating medical care and social services would help families navigate the painful journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Today, there are seven, not-for-profit Valerie Fund Centers located in New Jersey, New York and metropolitan Philadelphia staffed with social workers, counselors, psychologists and child life specialists. The hallmark of The Valerie Fund services ensures that families and hospitals do not have to rely on insurance reimbursements to receive the range of support of a multi-disciplinary team. More than 4,000 children with cancer and blood disorders are treated annually—a network that is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
