Somers Volunteer Honored for 19 Years of Service

Herman Slotoroff survived heart surgery 19 years ago and soon after he began playing tennis to speed up his recovery and use his newly repaired heart.

Since then, the 90-year-old Somers resident has championed a tennis tournament to raise money for the Westchester-Fairfield American Heart Association (AHA). After his surgery, Slotoroff created the By-Pass-Open Tennis Tournament at the Armonk Tennis Club and has raised more than $400,000 overall for AHA programs and research.

"What Herman [Slotoroff] has done is create a legacy of giving and heart-healthy living right here in his community and his efforts should be recognized and celebrated," said Gregory Plage, the AHA’s recently appointed executive director.

The AHA presented Slotoroff with an award at a gathering in his honor last month.

Through his event, the man helps raise money for research and programs of the organization, but he also gets people out, participating in a fun, heart-healthy activity. The tournament, a round-robin doubles format event, challenges participants, mostly heart disease survivors, to raise $100 each to support the AHA.

"Volunteers are at the core of what we do at the American Heart Association," Plage said. "We value their contributions, commitment and their time in supporting our mission."

Roger Matles, who had a heart attack at age 37, was recruited by Slotoroff to participate in the tennis tournament. He has been playing for the last 18 years. 

"It’s a good way for people who have gone through heart disease or situations where maybe they didn’t think they could ever play tennis again," Matles said." This is one way we can be healthy and raise money for a good cause. I’d love to see this go nationwide."

There is an upcoming Heart Walk at Kensico Dam in Valhalla on Oct. 20. Teams can sign up at www.westchesterheartwalk.org or by contacting Jennifer.gelick@heart.org.

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