Longines and Tennis Legend Stefanie Graf Host Women Who Make A Difference Awards and Center Court for Kids Clinic

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Sep 21, 2010, 07:07 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Longines, the Swiss watch company, and tennis legend, philanthropist and Longines ambassador Stefanie Graf, joined forces with fellow legendary player Billie Jean King and four current professionals on Thursday putting on a tennis clinic for more than 50 children provided by event presenters City Parks Foundation and the USTA Eastern Division.

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Benefitting Graf's Children for Tomorrow charity, the Center Court for Kids event was a huge success and led mainly by Graf, who spent three hours on court tutoring and helping the children, offering tips and advice about their tennis games.

"It's great that Longines has provided this incredible opportunity to these young girls so eager and ready to play tennis," Graf said. "Just like Children for Tomorrow, the City Parks Foundation of New York City offers a wide variety range of activities for all these children to take part and learn from."

Mike Silverman of the City Parks Foundation was the day's emcee and coordinated the four courts used during the clinic. Silverman commented that the Central Park West Courts provided free tennis to more than 7,000 children last year alone.

"It's places like this that represent the true grassroots tennis movement," said King, who grew up on similar public courts in Long Beach, Calif. "And I'm just so happy to be here supporting Stefanie's great Foundation and all the work she does for the Children of Tomorrow."

The event is just another part of Longines' global commitment to support and develop tennis' superstars of tomorrow. The players, all from the metro New York area, received special instruction from Graf and other tennis pros on sportsmanship and the game's most integral shots: forehand, backhand, serve and volley. Additionally, visitors to Central Park were able to test the speed of their serve.

U.S. Open competitors Tim Smyczek, Ryler DeHeart and current WTA players Mashona Washington and Jennifer Elie also provide instruction and great enthusiasm on the day. Elie grew up in Queens and played on the same Central Park courts as a child.

Graf, a Longines Brand Ambassador, is considered by many to be the greatest female tennis player. She is married to American tennis great Andre Agassi. Tennis and non-profit work continue to be driving forces in both Graf and Agassi's lives.

On Wednesday night, Longines, Graf and Town&Country Magazine, hosted the "Women Who Make a Difference" awards dinner. Honorees included Valerie Sobel, Dr. Margaret Martin and Kristen Malfara. On behalf of each guest, Longines will be making a donation of $25 to one of the honored charities of their choice, which also includes Graf's Children for Tomorrow foundation.

Dr. Margaret Martin, Kristen Malfara and Valerie Sobel were honored for the extraordinary impact they have made on children's lives through their foundations -- The Harmony Project, The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project and the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation.

The event, hosted by Longines, Graf and Town&Country, was emceed by famed CBS tennis sportscaster Bill Macatee and featured special presentations by Town&Country Editor-at-Large Pamela Fiori, who presented Valerie Sobel with her award, legendary newscaster Ernie Anastos, who presented Dr. Margaret Martin with her award, and fashion icon Jacqui Lividini, who presented Kristen Malfara with her award; Jennifer Judkins, Longines U.S. Brand President, presented each honoree with a special, engraved Longines timepiece.

To further extend this recognition and create awareness for their organizations, Longines and Town&Country will feature Stefanie Graf and the three honorees in a special section to run in the February 2011 issue of Town&Country.

"Longines and Stefanie Graf are honored to join Town&Country magazine in recognizing these truly remarkable and inspiring women," said Judkins. "Margaret, Valerie and Kristen work tirelessly for their causes and are changing lives -- they are incredibly deserving of this recognition and we are proud to offer them our support."

The "Women Who Make a Difference" honorees were chosen from more than 100 entrants, each of whom is making an extraordinary impact in children's lives within her community.

Dr. Margaret Martin, Founder of The Harmony Project: The Harmony Project is an award-winning research-based program for at-risk youth in Los Angeles. It promotes positive youth development through ongoing year-round music lessons and youth orchestra participation, and provides students with instruments and after-school music classes. A skilled Parent Programs Coordinator provides orientation and ongoing educational programs for parents (at monthly "potluck dinners") to help parents learn how to better support their kids' progress, and to improve fundamental family dynamics. Further, a scholarship program supports the students' transition to higher education – and requires them to give back by mentoring younger students, assisting teachers, or by helping out in the administrative offices. www.harmony-project.org

Kristen Malfara, Founder and Director of The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project: The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project, which stands for "Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide," is a non-profit organization established by Robert & Kristen Malfara in Melbourne Beach, FL, in honor of their son Morgan, who has a very rare form of Leukodystrophy. The volunteers of The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project provide support to parents/caregivers and act as a reference source for information, financial resources, used equipment exchanges, research and clinical studies, and support groups. The organization tries to consolidate, and then disseminate, all the tools available to caregivers, from sources such as the internet, newsletters, parenting organizations, support groups, etc. Most caregivers just don't have the time to look for needed assistance on their own. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project also makes small individual grants (products & services only) to parents/caregivers of special children for travel expenses to attend medical conferences they would not otherwise be able to afford. In addition, they give small individual grants (products & services only) to parents/caregivers of special children for things like positional seating, adaptive car seats, durable medical equipment not covered by Medicaid or Insurance, and other non-covered items that make caring for these children easier and help to improve their quality of life. www.themorganproject.org

Valerie Sobel, Founder and President of the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation: Valerie Sobel's inspiration for the Los Angeles-based Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation stems from her own staggering loss – that of her teenage son Andre, who died of a malignant brain tumor. A year later, her husband took his own life. Ms. Sobel realized that through her ordeal, she had never needed to worry about finances or the lack of any other resource. Then the question hit her: What is the plight of mothers without her resources? How do they possibly cope? When no other resources are available, social workers at affiliated children's hospitals send the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation urgent requests on behalf of single-parent families in financial crisis. The team responds immediately and without additional paperwork because the social workers have already verified the need. The variety of requests range from essentials, such as food, transportation, utilities and medications not covered by insurance, to funds to protect a family from eviction or foreclosure. The Foundation responds to each request within 24 hours because "compassion can't wait." http://andreriveroflife.org/

Longines:

Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World's leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.

www.longines.com

SOURCE Longines