Kids & Family

Tennis Pro's Fundraiser Lobs One At Autism

Local parents Mindy and Ryan Horne are holding a fundraiser for autism resources and to help their sons' special education schools in Northbrook and Highland Park. They can still use your help.

In the battle against autism, Mindy Horne has chosen her weapon: a tennis racket.

She'll use it to strike out against the condition her son was diagnosed with when he was 3 years old. 

And while the mission is serious, the means will be fun.

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Horne, a tennis pro at the Niles Park District's , and her husband Ryan Horne, the Morton Grove Village administrator, are assembling a Saturday, April 28 fundraiser that will be nirvana for tennis players. The couple live in Glenview with their kids.

"When people donate, they feel they're getting something for their donation," Mindy Horne said. "They get a couple hours of tennis, dinner, a raffle entry and a t-shirt. 100 percent (of what they pay) goes to charity."

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The tennis slots, at $75 each, are sold out, but people can still donate auction items--tickets to major sporting events, vacation rentals and other desirable auction staples are still needed, the Hornes say.

Anyone can also bid on auction items, and buy raffle tickets ($10 each or three for $25) for some seriously desirable tennis gear, such as rackets and equipment bags donated by Prince and Babolat, Ryan Horne said. But you don't have to be a tennis player, because one raffle prize is an Apple iPad.  

The proceeds benefit the HAVE (Helping Autistic Voices Emerge) Dreams foundation, which Ryan Horne said "provided a wealth of information to help figure out the craziness" after their son was diagnosed. They provide parent counseling, teacher training, and they advocate for autistic children. 

This fund raiser began when Mindy asked what she could do to help. This year will be the fifth annual event, and it has grown every year.

Some of the proceeds will be used to buy two iPads for the North Shore Academy schools, part of the North Shore Special Education District, which the Hornes' two sons attend. 

That's because Ryan Horne said when his son was allowed to play with an iPad, his spelling scores improved from 40 percent to 100 percent. 

That son, who was diagnosed with autism and is now 10, attends the elementary school in Northbrook, while the 11-year-old, who has emotional disorders and ADHD, Mindy Horne said, attends the middle school in Highland Park. Seventeen school districts, from Glenview to Lake Bluff, feed into the North Shore Special Education District.

Mindy Horne said she appreciates all the donations. "The Niles Park District has been awesome about giving all eight courts and the facility for the dinner," she said, adding all the tennis pros and the front desk staff donate their time. 

To donate auction items or buy raffle tickets, click on this link or contact Ryan Horne at rhorne@mortongroveil.org.


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