Buffalo, NY (8/15/18) – Mayor Byron W. Brown attended the closing ceremony of the Buffalo Police Athletic League’s ‘Love to Serve’ summer tennis camp. Mayor Brown was joined by the family of the late Natalie Lewis, who participated in Mayor Brown’s Summer Youth Internship and Employment program as a tennis coach for the Police Athletic League of Buffalo’s tennis program. Last year, Mayor Brown renamed the camp in Natalie’s memory.
“Congratulations to all those who participated in this year’s ‘Love to Serve’ tennis camp. Our campers this year challenged themselves as athletes, gained confidence, and spent time being active outside. Thank you to the directors of PAL, PAL coaches, and parents for a great tennis season,” said Mayor Brown. “I also wanted to thank the Lewis family for being here today to celebrate this occasion with me. Today we can honor and remember Natalie Lewis, someone very special to all of us. Natalie was one of my summer youth interns and a committed PAL tennis coach. She will always be remembered for the kindness she shared with those around her.”
The ‘Love to Serve’ tennis camp ran for six weeks this summer, starting July 9th and ending August 13th. The camp invited children aged seven to seventeen to learn the basics of tennis. The camp was held in the McMillan Tennis Courts at Delaware Park three days a week. At today’s event, camp students were presented with awards as they celebrated the completion of the program.
Today’s celebration and ceremony not only acknowledged the hard work of the youth that participated in this year’s tennis program, but it was also a chance to honor the tragic loss of Natalie Lewis. During her lifetime, Natalie gave back to her community through many ways, some of which being as a City summer youth intern and participating in PAL’s summer tennis camp as a coach.
“The Love to Serve Tennis programs through Buffalo PAL provides an ideal introduction to youth tennis, and allows those just starting out to enjoy the game in an engaging and fun environment, with trained instructors who love the game! We were excited to once again work with over 75 youth this summer who completed the 6-week tennis program at two different locations in the City of Buffalo,” said Nekia Kemp, PAL Executive Director.
Buffalo PAL has held a number of athletic and educational programs this summer including PAL Kids Fun Runs, PAL Sports and Enrichment Summer Camp, PAL Outdoor Camping Trip, and their Bike Helmet Giveaway. Look out for PAL’s next big upcoming events such as the Mayor’s Reading Rules Award Ceremony Saturday the 25th.