Three groups within USTA Northern are selling raffle tickets for trips to the 2009 US Open and for seats in the exclusive President's Box to raise funds for their particular organizations.

Fred Wells Tennis & Education, InnerCity Tennis and St. Paul Urban Tennis have joined forces for their raffle which offers 2 tickets in the President's Box during the day on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, during the first week of the US Open, plus 2 nights accommodations (September 2-3) at the Radisson Lexington Hotel in New York City courtesy of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, and two grounds passes for the US Open during the first week. Other perks include lunch in the President's Box, a behind-the-scenes tour of Arthur Ashe Stadium and free shuttle rides from the hotel to the US Open site. Tickets are $20 for two or $15 for one and can be purchased through any of the organizations. Proceeds from the raffle will go towards operational support at Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center, volunteer training efforts at InnerCity Tennis and an outreach program teaching tennis at three low-income housing sites through St. Paul Urban Tennis. For complete information, click here.

The Shakopee Tennis Association is using the proceeds to kick off a capital campaign for the proposed Shakopee Indoor Public Facility. The STA raffle package includes round-trip airfair for two, three nights at the Doubletree Suites Times Square, two tickets in the President's Box during the day on Monday, August 31, lunch in the President's Box, two grounds passes to another US Open session, a behind-the-scenes tour of Arthur Ashe Stadium and free shuttle rides from the hotel to the US Open site. Tickets are $50 each or $75 for two tickets. Click here for more information. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Dave Forbes at dforbes@shakopeetennis.org or (952) 445-6255.

Drawings for the two above raffles will take place Friday, July 17, at 12 noon in the USTA Northern office at 1001 W. 98th Street, Ste. 101, Bloomington, Minn. 55431.

The Rocori Area Community Tennis Association is fundraising to build four additional courts in the area. Its package includes $100 air fare voucher, three nights hotel, 2 tickets to the President's Box, lunch in the President's Box, two grounds passes to another US Open session, a behind-the-scenes tour of Arthur Ashe Stadium and free shuttle rides from the hotel to the US Open site. Tickets are $50. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Mark Grelson at the ROCORI Community Education Office, 527 Main Street in Cold Spring, Minn., phone 320-685-8631.
 
Drawing for the Rocori raffle will take place Thursday, July 23, in Cold Spring during the Hometown Pride Days Celebration. USTA Northern Executive Director Mike Goldammer will be present for the drawing.