The Kimberly Chance Atkins Foundation (KCAF) has been named as the recipient for the 2015 Special Tennis Event Award. This prestigious honor is a United States Tennis Association award given annually through the Georgia Tennis Association (GTA) Awards program.

Mr. Benny Atkins, founder of the KCAF, accepted the award on January 30, 2016 at an awards dinner that was held in conjunction with the GTA’s Community Tennis Development Workshop at the Marriott Perimeter Center in Dunwoody.

The Special Tennis Event Award was given to the charity organization for the four-person team tournament. The tournament was held during the 10th Annual KCAF Memorial Tennis Tournament on August 22, 2015 at Summit Chase.

This annual tournament was at different locations in Conyers for many years until being moved in the last two years to Summit Chase. The tournament also includes an individual mixed round robin tournament. Always held during the same weekend in August, the next KCAF Memorial Tennis Tournament is scheduled on August 26 and 27, 2016.

It all started with the tennis tournament. In 2006, the Rockdale Medical Center (RMC) Foundation was a non-profit organization that held tennis tournaments to raise money to purchase mammogram equipment. Jean Yontz was the director at the hospital at the time and came to Benny Atkins asking if that year’s event could honor his wife, Kimberly Chance Atkins, who had died of breast cancer. Benny agreed and over the next few years the event continued to be very successful.

After the hospital sold and the RMC Foundation was no longer a non-profit, Benny Atkins formed the KCAF to continue on with the tradition. All proceeds raised go to providing mammogram screenings and equipment to help fight breast cancer.

Besides helping to raise money for equipment at RMC, the KCAF has helped Newton Medical Center and also has plans to help Eastside Medical Center and other area hospitals.

Benny Atkins said, “I give Jean Yontz credit. Tennis tournaments don’t typically raise as much money as golf tournaments. The KCA Foundation Memorial Tennis Tournament consistently raises around $40K because of the sponsorships and commitment of the tennis players and volunteers. We are able to get help so we have very little overhead. Money truly goes back to the community for outreach and to further help fight breast cancer.”

Participation in the KCAF Tennis Tournament, along with other events, makes it possible for the foundation to achieve its mission to fight against breast cancer. In addition to the tournament, the annual Walk with Angels is coming soon on April 16, 2016. Walk with Angels is an 8 mile walk to honor and remember those who have passed and to celebrate those still fighting breast cancer. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the walk starts at 8 a.m. The walk begins and ends at the Olde Town Conyers pavilion. For more information about this walk, other events and the KCAF, visit their website at http://www.kimatkins.net/