The Andy Roddick Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to provide children in need with quality education and other necessary resources. It accomplishes these goals by donating to charities with a focus on aiding abused children, children with childhood diseases, and keeping children in school.

Founded in 2001 by professional tennis

Tennis

Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...

 player and former World no. 1 Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick

Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is currently the second highest-ranked American player, behind Mardy Fish....

, the foundation is directed by Roddick's mother Blanche and is based in Boca Raton, Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

. It is staffed exclusively by volunteers.

Fund-raising activities

The Andy Roddick Foundation raises funds by accepting donations, sponsorships, and endorsements. Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick

Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is currently the second highest-ranked American player, behind Mardy Fish....

's sponsorship agreement with Lexus

Lexus

is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...

 includes opportunities for the carmaker to support the foundation.http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-17-2005/0003880565&EDATE= Vitalspring Technologies has also officially endorsed the foundation, giving its support in fund-raising activities and marketing initiatives throughout 2005.http://www.vitalspring.com/pressreleases/andyriddick.htm

The foundation also conducts an annual "Andy Roddick Charity Weekend" in Florida. A three-day event, it features celebrity performers, dinner and dancing, and a tennis exhibition. Past celebrity guests include Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie

Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...

 and Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi

Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game...

.

In 2004, Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick

Andrew Stephen "Andy" Roddick is an American professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. He is currently the second highest-ranked American player, behind Mardy Fish....

 launched the "No Compromise" bracelets inspired by Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong

Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...

's "Live Strong" bracelets. In 2005 the foundation held its first "Champions for Charity" gala in Austin, Texas, which included appearances from Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes

Sarah Elizabeth Hughes is an American figure skater. She is the 2002 Olympic gold medalist and 2001 World bronze medalist in ladies singles.-Personal life:...

 and a private performance by musician Elton John

Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...

.

Proceeds from both events and from the sale of "No Compromise" bracelets go directly to the Andy Roddick Foundation's supported charities. To date, the Andy Roddick Foundation has raised $3.2 million.

Awards

During the 17th Annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration on November 16, 2005, the Andy Roddick Foundation was honored with the "Outstanding Foundation" award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Chapter.http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/Insider_1202.asp

External links

• The Andy Roddick Foundation official website
• The Official Website of Andy Roddick
• "Foundation recipients", Andy Roddick Foundation, 2005. Retrieved December 12, 2005.
• "Elton John to star at Andy Roddick Charity Benefit", PRNewsWire, January 25, 2005. Retrieved December 12, 2005.
• "USA Tennis Florida joins stars to celebrate Andy Roddick Charity Weekend", USA Tennis Florida, December 20, 2004. Retrieved December 12, 2005.