The weather didn’t stop tennis balls and smiles from flying all over the place in Palm Beach Gardens.
Love Serving Autism held its Red Ball Team Challenge inside the Burns Road Recreation Center Saturday due to the monsoon outside.
The kids still had a blast.
“The children are so excited to be here,” said Lisa Pugliese, the founder of Love Serving Autism.
The group uses the sport to help children and adults with autism develop and grow motor, social, and life skills.
“It’s a social activity and it engages the children so they have to interact with others,” Pugliese added.
Parents see the positive impact.
Stuart Zuckerberg has a granddaughter with autism.
“The parents see that their kids can participate in a sport that normally would exclude them,” said Zuckerberg, whose nephew is Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO and co-founder of Facebook.
Saturday’s tennis fun came together with help from an army of volunteers.
“The kids need social skills, they need to have fun,” said Sandy Bell, a USPTA professional. “My reward is seeing another person doing something.”
The event wrapped up with a group photo and pizza party.
You can learn more about Love Serving Autism, upcoming events, how to volunteer, and ways to donate by visiting its website.
