Icon Larry Greenspon lauded with international support

Friends from near and far offered many words of appreciation and pride when it comes to the work of local legend Larry Greenspon to use his passion for tennis to bring people of all creeds together amid surging strife and discrimination. But at the center of it all was one sentiment: true generosity.

The hundreds of attendees at Sunday's groundbreaking and honorary dinner commended Greenspon's generosity with his time, labor and financing to provide tennis centers for youths to enjoy. Members of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee shared how his support has facilitated programs to flourish.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Greenspon said at the ribbon cutting it was immensely meaningful to him to return to his roots when visiting Jerusalem, inspiring him to bring his favorite sport to the youth. 

"Through the game of tennis, lives were being changed in positive ways," he said. "Through the game, kids were mixing together, of all different religions. It's teaching children to be tolerant of all people. We can do it at the federation here, too."

After toasting to Greenspon, attendees walked to the site of the anticipated Greenspon Sports Facilities off McIntosh Road in Sarasota to lift their shovels in celebration.

Shepard Englander said, "Where we are standing right now, in four months, there will be beautiful, premium tennis courts. There will be pickleball courts, basketball courts and playing fields."

He continued, "This is all part of a dream that Larry had when we first started thinking about developing the campus and breathing life back into it."

They then made their way indoors to a dinner honoring Greenspon at The Ora.

Co-chairs Tom Bernstein, Ellen and Alan Goldner, Yekaterina and Eric Pressman, and Ronna and Wayne Ruben organized the celebration.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Eric Pressman welcomed attendees, who included a cohort of young people visiting from Israel. Part way through the presentation, they showed everyone the back of the T-shirts where they were proudly proclaiming they were "Larry's Children."

"Thank you for everything you do for the children of Israel," he said. "What a great opportunity to honor our benefactor, Larry Greenspon, for everything he is doing."

Even those who couldn't come in person found a way to share their appreciation, offered a pre-taped thank you message from around the world.

Greenspon has a long history of charitably, recently donating $3.5 million to support building the new 32-acre facility.

Family members said they deeply appreciated the show of support for Larry.