Everyone has their own way of supporting their favorite charities. One local couple is picking up their tennis racquets and preparing to battle each other on the courts to raise money for autism.
Kim and Ryan Bean of North Haven are no strangers to the sport of tennis. They are both former Division One players from Quinnipiac University and played throughout high school at North Haven High and in Marshfield, Mass., respectively. While Ryan serves as the head tennis pro at , Kim works as a Special Education teacher in the Milford Public School system.
Special Education has always been near and dear to the Bean’s heart. The couple decided a few years ago that they would fuse their common passion for tennis to raise money for autism, and thus the annual Battle of the Beans was born.
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This Sunday the Beans will take to the courts at Pine Orchard as a fundraiser for the Autism Spectrum Resource Center in Wallingford and the Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders at SCSU.
This is a tennis match guaranteed to be nothing like you have ever experienced. Cheering, screaming, betting, and having tons of fun are all requirements of this unique sporting event. A $10 donation gets you in the door for Battle of the Beans inclusive of a full summer barbeque. All sorts of add ons to the traditional game keeps things exciting.
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Five dollars will get your player of choice an extra serve while throwing a handicap of an oversized racquet into the mix for the competition will cost you $50, to name a few.
If those stiff bleachers are keeping you away from the festivities, you can take advantage of this year’s VIP seating. For $25 you have your choice of sitting courtside with a selection of chocolate covered strawberries and champagne or “on the beach” on the court in a beach chair with your legs soaking in a kiddie pool.
“This all makes it more interactive and fun for spectators while continually raising money for autism,” Ryan said. Since raising $300 at their first event, they have raised more than $8,000 for charities of their choosing.
This year’s Battle of the Beans will be held at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club Sunday July 22 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. To make a donation directly to the Bean’s send a check payable to ASRC or SCSU (memo: Center of Excellence on ASD) to 168 Round Hill Road North Haven CT 06473.
