While the US Open is the main event of the USTA’s year, it is just one of many ways that the organization reaches out to tennis fans across the country and makes a difference in people’s lives.

USTA Serves, formerly known as the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation, plays a significant role in providing supportive and enriching opportunities to financially underprivileged children year-round, while at the same time helping to grow the game of tennis among America’s youth. In its seven years of existence, USTA Serves has achieved its goals through various community programs that integrate tennis and education.

Such programs provide positive role models, academic assistance, mentoring and tennis instruction to help prevent violence, substance abuse and school dropouts. With these programs, the sport of tennis serves as a medium through which issues concerning health, diversity and general well being are addressed to help educate students and better their lives.

Karen Eliezer, executive director for USTA Serves, said the charitable organization is the USTA’s national foundation for Academics, Character and Excellence, forming the acronym ACE.

“It’s one of the best efforts from the USTA because it includes people who are passionate about tennis," Eliezer said. "They’re passionate about kids, and they value education. And that’s what USTA Serves is all about."

“As Patrick McEnroe always says about the organization, we’re not here to create the next tennis champion, but we want kids to be champions in life. We want children to stay in school, be physically fit, fight obesity, get help with academics and receive tutoring, if needed. And tennis is the vehicle that engages them.”

As the biggest sporting event in the country, the US Open provides a major platform to formally launch the charity’s new name and familiarize the public with the mission of USTA Serves. In order to raise funds and awareness, the charity organizes several marquee events to both promote and help raise money for the organization’s efforts.

Perhaps the most popular and visible of the fundraisers at the Open is the “Avenue of Aces,” which gives donors a chance to have their name permanently engraved on the US Open grounds. The “Avenue of Aces” features a series of personalized pavers built into the walkway beginning at the East Gate near Louis Armstrong Stadium. The starting price to have your name engraved on a paver is $1,000, and Eliezer said they are popular among people looking for a meaningful gift for someone.

Another way for fans to contribute to USTA Serves’ mission is to purchase a $5 grounds pass on Finals Sunday, Sept. 7. For anyone not lucky enough to catch a ball in either of the three main show courts, game-used balls can be purchased for $5. All proceeds from these purchases benefit USTA Serves.

The OPENing Gala, held on Monday, Aug. 25, the first day of the 2008 US Open, was attended by high-profile supporters, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, internationally renowned designer Oscar de la Renta and business tycoon Martha Stewart, and raised an estimated $400,000. USTA Serves’ new informational DVD was also unveiled at the gala.

“That night has become very important for us,” Eliezer said. “It sets the tone for the rest of the Open. It gets everybody very excited about it, and it’s a priceless experience.”

USTA Serves will also host “The 6th Annual Pro Am at the US Open” event on Friday, Sept. 5, from 8-11 a.m. The event offers amateurs a chance to purchase one of 12 spots to compete with senior players from the 2008 US Open Champions Invitational tournament. Among those who have agreed to participate are Ilie Nastase, Mary Joe Fernandez and Stan Smith.

The Pro Am will be held on Courts 7 through 11 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and so far eight of the 12 amateur spots have been purchased by a weekly Brazilian celebrity magazine that will send a group of models and soap opera stars to participate.

One hundred percent of the funds raised from these events and purchases all go toward academic college scholarships and player incentive awards for children participating in USTA Serves programs. Annually, more than $2 million is raised for the organization’s programs and scholarships.

Anyone interested in making a donation to USTA Serves can visit the organization’s booth on the grounds of the US Open, or visit www.usta.com/foundation.