Atlantic City Doubles Benefit

The urban squash movement is assuredly the major charitable effort of the US squash community, but many smaller, lower profiled initiatives occur each year. A new one is in Atlantic City.

Taking time out at a recent fundraiser for Covenant House (L-R): Brian Nelson (Site Director and member of Covenant House's Statewide Executive Team); Shannon McAllister (Vocational Specialist); Mary MacDonald (Associate Executive Director); and Maureen.
Taking time out at a recent fundraiser for Covenant House (L-R): Brian Nelson (Site Director and member of Covenant House’s Statewide Executive Team); Shannon McAllister (Vocational Specialist); Mary MacDonald (Associate Executive Director); and Maureen.

Covenant House is a privately-funded childcare agency that serves homeless and runaway youth. It is one of the largest in the country. Each night the Atlantic City branch houses 125 people (ages 18-21). Moreover, it offers these young men and women crisis care— most were in very at-risk situations—and the tools they need to become successful, independent adults.

Last year Gus Repetto, a squash player from AC, visited Covenant House and wanted to do something. “After seeing what these kids were up against firsthand,” Repetto said, “I immediately knew that we had to help in some way.”

Repetto works at Locust Capital Managament, an investment firm in Philadelphia, and he and his two partners, Andrew Purcell and Bill Casey, are active squash players. In February, Locust Capital sponsored a fundraising event at Greate Bay Racquet & Fitness, a health club in Atlantic City where Greg Park is the pro. Brian Williams, the site director for Covenant House, gave a short presentation to the crowd of 60, followed by a riveting squash doubles exhibition match (Greate Bay has two doubles courts) given by Park, Rich Repetto, Dent Wilkins and Rob Whitehouse.

Local businesses and Greate Bay members donated all the hors d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as raffle items that included golf outings and tickets to Sixers games. The fun-spirited evening raised close to $4,000 for Covenant House.