THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 18, 2025 Page 13 24th Annual Walk of Hope to Benefit ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease – Scheduled for September 6th W akefield, MA –Walkers are signing up for the 24th annual Walk of Hope for ALS, a 3.5-mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield to benefit The Angel Fund for ALS Research, on Saturday, September 6th. The walk begins with registration at 9 a.m. followed by the start of the walk at 11 a.m. The release of doves in honor of those living with ALS and those who have lost their courageous battle to the disease will be held prior to the start of the walk. The Angel Fund for ALS Research is a nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting the ALS research of Dr. Robert Brown, Jr. and his team at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester. ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive, always fatal neuromuscular disease which leads to muscle weakness and as it progresses, results in total paralysis and the inability to speak and swallow while the mind and senses remain intact. Walkers of all abilities are encouraged to participate as individuals or as a team. To register as a walker or to register a team, log-on to The Angel Fund website at www.theangelfund.org or call the organization at 781245-7070. In addition to the walk around Lake Quannapowitt, the event includes activities and refreshments for all registered walkers. Kings Bowl of Lynnfield, an annual supporter of the walk, will again provide refreshments for registered walkers, as will Shaws of Wakefield. The Angel Fund will also honor those who have ALS and those who have lost their battle with the disease with the Faces of ALS®. Any participating team or individual who would like to honor a loved one with a poster along the walkway should send a high-resolution photo to theangelfundals@gmail.com by September 1st. Donations to the Angel Fund for ALS Research can also be made online, or can be sent to The Angel Fund, 649 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880. All donations should be made payable to The Angel Fund for ALS Research. Walkers are encouraged to create their own webpage to raise money online. Registered walkers can create their page at https:// theangelfund.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Information about sponsorship opportunities can also be obtained on the website, www. theangelfund.org, or by calling 781-245-7070. This Summer, Be Your Kid’s Tennis Coach A By Megan Rose s summer vacation begins, parents across America face a familiar challenge: how to keep children active, engaged, and away from the hypnotic glow of screens. Among the many summer activities available, there’s a meaningful solution in your neighborhood -- one that offers lifelong benefits for you and your child. Become your child’s tennis coach. Parent coaching is common in sports like soccer and basketball, yet tennis is often overlooked. That’s a missed opportunity. Tennis is one of the few sports where parents and children can learn and play side-by-side for decades. Kids are spending more time behind screens than ever before. Studies show the average teen spends seven hours a day behind a screen. Only one in four adolescents meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. That combination -- more screens, less movement -sets the stage for long-term health risks. Tennis offers a better path. It builds endurance, coordination, agility, and strength. A long-term study found that tennis players lived 10 years longer than sedentary individuals -- more than any sport evaluated. Tennis supports cardiovascular health, healthy weight, and increased bone density in critical areas like the hips and spine during key growth years. Just as important are the mental benefits. Tennis has been linked to lower levels of stress and anxiety, better focus, and improved sleep. Kids who play tennis consistently report higher self-esteem and stronger social connections than their non-playing peers. Unlike screen time, which can erode self-worth, tennis builds self-confidence through challenge, feedback, and progress. For parents, coaching your child in tennis is more than just a way to keep them active. It’s about being present. You’re not watching from the bleachers. You’re on the court with them. You laugh over mishits, celebrate clean shots, and navigate frustration together. These moments aren’t just recreational; they’re relationship-building. Research shows that parental involvement in youth sports boosts kids’ confidence, motivation, and enjoyment of the game. And unlike many team sports, where attention gets divided, tennis is just the two of you, with every rally strengthening your bond. Tennis also creates a rhythm that continues long after summer. It’s one of the rare multi-generational sports where a 12-year-old and a 70-year-old can compete and connect at all walks of life. The best part? Tennis welcomes beginners – players and coaches alike. Few sports offer the same “choose your own adventure” experience, where parents and kids can learn and grow together. For parents who want to begin their coaching journey, there’s no shortage of support. For instance, USTA Coaching – which launches in August – will offer free, easy-to-use resources for new coaches, including a modular learning curriculum. It’s designed with parents in mind and includes everything from day-to-day training plans to simple drills – like aiming a ball into a laundry basket – that make it easier to build your child’s skills and confidence. All you really need to get started is a racquet, a few balls, and time. With over 270,000 public courts across the country, most of them free, there’s a good chance one is nearby. And if not, a back wall or driveway will do just fine. So this summer, skip the screens. Grab a racquet and meet your child at the baseline. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner. What matters is that you’re there. Your child will never forget the summer you coached them through their first serve -- and the bond that came with it. Megan Rose is the Managing Director of USTA Coaching and a mom of two.
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