Lily Schonbraun Raises More than $32,500 for GNTE

In honor of her upcoming bat mitzvah celebration, Lily Schonbraun, a 12-year-old from Short Hills, NJ, organized and ran a fundraiser on May 15, 2021, to benefit the Greater Newark Tennis & Education program (GNTE) at Orange Lawn Tennis Club, one of the world’s most historic and legendary tennis clubs. The mitzvah project, which raised in excess of $32,500 for GNTE, featured a warm-up clinic run by Orange Lawn’s High Performance Coaches Michael Thompson, Asim Sengun and Yhonny Murray in which 60 children participated, followed by a tiered “U.S. Open and French Open” tennis tournament for 32 parent/child doubles teams who competed on the club’s clay courts.

A sixth grader at Newark Academy, Lily knew she wanted to combine her love of tennis with her desire to give back to the community for her mitzvah project. “Ever since I was little, tennis has been such an important part of my life and something that I have always been so passionate about. I have learned so much about the game, and more importantly, the life lessons that have come out of the game.

“The Greater Newark Tennis & Education program is an amazing organization that provides kids in the Newark area with a place to learn and play tennis, broaden and enhance their education, and learn valuable life skills,” she explained. “I realize how fortunate I have been to enjoy tennis lessons and the opportunity to play every day, so I was really excited to be able to help other kids share that experience, which will hopefully guide them well through life.”

About GNTE

Greater Newark Tennis & Education (GNTE) is a 501c3 organization dedicated to providing tennis instruction in an innovative format. Through its partnership with Seton Hall University, it offers a corresponding educational component, designed to foster whole child development. Its base program is free of charge to children in the Greater Newark area. GNTE operates at the Althea Gibson Tennis Center in Newark’s Branch Brook Park through a partnership with Essex County.

About Orange Lawn Tennis Club

Founded in 1880, the historic Orange Lawn Tennis Club is one of the region’s premier tennis clubs. Comprised of 14 Har-Tru and six grass courts, the Club also features a seasonal, state-of-the-art indoor tennis facility, five lighted paddle tennis courts, and a heated swimming pool. The club offers lessons and clinics taught by some of the region’s most sought-after tennis and paddle professionals for all ages and abilities, as well as a variety of dining options and premier event space. For more information about membership or events, contact Stefanie Peters at stefanie@orangelawn.com or visit www.orangelawn.com.