Rally for the Kids on Saturday

Lakewood Racquet Club in Lexington will be full of smiles and laughter on Saturday as more than 150 youngsters attend the 5th annual "Rally for the Kids" tennis event.

The tennis skills clinic is staged each year by Richland County Children Services, open to any child ages 6 to 18 whose family is working in some way with the agency.

Each youngster attending gets a free tennis racquet, event t-shirt and pizza after their session ends. To accommodate all of the children, the agency has divided the large group into two sections -- 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Lakewood pro Ron Schaub and his boys and girls tennis teams from Lexington High School provide the guidence and instruction during the event.

"We could not do this event with Ron Schaub and his high school teams donating their time and talents and the owners of Lakewood Racquet Club opening their doors for the afternoon to these youngsters," RCCSB communications supervisor Carl Hunnell said. "We are very grateful for their assistance."

Children Services will post photos from the event on the agency Web site after its conclusion.