Hike to Serve: 24 Hour Connecticut Appalachian Trail Hike to Benefit First Serve Bridgeport & ACEing Autism

I’m Ryan McWhinnie, a senior at Fairfield Warde High School, and I plan to walk the entire Connecticut portion of the Appalachian Trail (52 miles) in 24 hours to raise money for the First Serve Bridgeport and ACEing Autism charity organizations.

First Serve Bridgeport combines academic tutoring, mentoring, on-court tennis instruction and competitive play.  First Serve is a phenomenal organization, and I’ve had the opportunity to assist Director of Tennis Rob Oppenheim with tennis clinics.  The kids involved are awesome and deserve every opportunity that First Serve can provide.

I’ve also had the opportunity to teach tennis to kids through the ACEing Autism program in North Haven, CT.  ACEing Autism in on a mission to help children with autism to grow, develop and benefit from social connections and fitness through affordable tennis clinics.  Similar to First Serve, the kids I’ve worked with are great and deserve these types of opportunities.

Donations collected will go toward providing much needed resources for both programs.