The South Shore YMCA community came together once again for the annual Laura’s Love Memorial Event, raising more than $68,000 to support adaptive sports programming and athletes of all abilities. Held at the Emilson YMCA, the event brought together tennis and pickleball players, adaptive athletes, volunteers, families, and supporters for a day of competition, friendship, and community.
Each year, the Laura’s Love Memorial Event raises funds that directly benefit adaptive sports programming at the South Shore YMCA. The event is held in memory of Laura Emilson-Riekert, whose passion for inclusion helped countless children and adults find belonging, confidence, and connection through YMCA programs. Laura’s Love continues her legacy by creating opportunities for athletes with developmental and intellectual disabilities to participate in sports, compete as part of a team, and build lasting friendships.
The event featured a unified tennis tournament, mixed doubles competition, silent auction, and social gathering celebrating the athletes who make the Lob-Stars adaptive tennis program so special. This year also marked the addition of a pickleball tournament, with more than 20 players taking to the South Shore YMCA’s brand-new outdoor pickleball courts to compete alongside adaptive athletes and support the cause.
“Laura’s Love is such a special event,” said Sebastian Quintero, Director of Racquet & Paddle Sports at the South Shore YMCA. “The Lob-Stars program gives athletes of all abilities the opportunity to be part of a team, travel, compete, and build friendships that extend far beyond the court. Seeing our tennis and pickleball communities come together to support these athletes is incredibly inspiring. This event truly feels like a family reunion every year.”
Funds raised through Laura’s Love support the Lob-Stars, the South Shore YMCA’s signature adaptive tennis team, helping provide equipment, coaching, staffing, and opportunities to participate in local, regional, and national competitions. Proceeds also help expand adaptive sports opportunities at the South Shore Y, ensuring more athletes can experience the confidence, connection, and joy that come from being part of a team.
Thank you to the athletes, unified partners, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community members who made this year’s event such a success. Special thanks to the MITA teams for their generous basket donations, as well as MJ, Rick Kelly, and HEAD for their support and contributions throughout the day. A special thank you to longtime South Shore YMCA member Kim Hartford for capturing the fun and spirit of the day as our event photographer.
To learn more about the Lob-Stars adaptive tennis team, visit ssymca.org/lobstars.
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