Winning For WIN: Wayne Hills Girls' Tennis Team Raises $3K For Food Pantry

WAYNE, NJ — As the holiday season approaches, the girls' tennis team at Wayne Hills High School is helping a local food pantry feed families in need.

Their $3,000 donation to the Wayne Interfaith Network (WIN)'s food pantry was about double the amount that the pantry usually receives from a group fundraiser, the school district noted.

The team collected donations during their Oct. 7 Senior Day match to raise money for the Wayne Interfaith Network Food Pantry, Coach Todd Green said. Donors could give a flat amount, or choose to donate a certain amount for every game the players won against West Milford that day.

It was a successful day, both on and off the court, on top of another successful season for the Patriots. This season, the team posted a 12-6 record overall, and a 9-1 record in the league.

Wayne Hills has won the Passaic County championship for three years in a row, and were also successful in defending their Big North Independence League championship crown again this season — a title that has been theirs since 2021.

And after a successful fundraiser to cap it off, they will help WIN to serve 200 families in Wayne through their food pantry, Thanksgiving program, and other community services.

"We not only made it a memorable match for our seniors, but were able to use athletics in a positive way to help our own community," Green told Patch, adding that team parents came up with the idea.

Green gave credit to his players, and to the parents who helped organize and support the fundraiser.

"I'm so happy to be a part of this program that works so hard on the courts but understands the importance of the impact they can make for others using their tennis," he said.

Green and Athletic Director Ryan Bayley also thanked the people who donated to the fundraiser on Oct. 7, and contributed to the generous donation.

"We are thankful to the team, the coaches and supporters who donated to help us reach this amazing milestone," Bayley said.

On Oct. 18, team members headed to the pantry and met WIN President Barbara Cohen to present the check, and learn more about the Food Pantry.

"She said that the $3,000 amount was one of their largest donations from a single sports team," Green said.

The pantry is housed at the Wayne YMCA, which serves as the lead agency for Wayne United Food Outreach Program. It has been serving residents for more than 25 years and will remain open through the YMCA building's transition into township ownership and beyond, per a TAPinto article.

Click here to visit WIN's website, where you can learn about how to apply for food assistance, making donations, volunteering at the pantry, and more.