Beneficiary Spotlight: EPATT’s Trip to the BNP Paribas Open Is a Life-Changing Experience for Bay Area Youth
Made possible by the FOCF Fund for Kids
Thanks to the generosity of the Ferrari Owners Charitable Foundation (FOCF) and the FOCF Fund for Kids, students and coaches from East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT) took a dream trip to one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments: the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
For years, EPATT’s coaches dreamed of giving their students this experience. This March, that dream became reality—thanks to donations raised by the FOG RALLY 2024 community.
The Journey: March 1st–3rd, 2024
Over the course of the weekend, EPATT coaches Francisco Lopez, Julio Hermosillo, and Uriel Rivera led a group of seven students and one parent on a road trip from East Palo Alto to Palm Springs. They stayed in a vibrant Airbnb home, bonded as a team, and soaked up the full experience of professional tennis at the Indian Wells Open—including practice matches, Kids Day festivities, and meet-and-greets with pros.
Among the highlights: selfies with favorite players, signed autographs, and an unforgettable atmosphere that made a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Student Spotlight: Antwon, Age 11
One of the standout moments from the trip came from Antwon K., a sixth grader at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School (CCRMS) and a rising star in EPATT’s tennis program. Just months after picking up a racquet for the first time, Antwon is now the top player on his middle school team and an academic honor roll student.
Here’s what he had to say about the experience:
"Going to the Indian Wells Open with EPATT was amazing! It was my first time attending a professional tennis tournament, and it was super exciting to see all the famous players in real life! Thank you so much to all the people who donated so we could go. It meant a lot to all of us. I got to take selfies with awesome players, and even got their autographs! I’ve been watching a lot of these players on YouTube, so it’s awesome to be able to see them hit up close in person! And being with my tennis teammates made it even better. I'll never forget this trip, and I'm so grateful to everyone who made it possible for us to be there! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
— Antwon, 6th grader at CCRMS
As if that wasn’t magical enough—just two days earlier, EPATT students were unexpectedly tipped off to attend a Stanford match… where they were stunned to meet their tennis hero, Roger Federer in person. A dream come true for a young tennis fan.
About EPATT & the FOCF Fund for Kids
EPATT is a longtime youth development organization based in East Palo Alto, combining academic tutoring, character development, and tennis instruction to empower underserved students. Their mission aligns seamlessly with the FOCF Fund for Kids, which supports grassroots organizations throughout Northern California that are changing children’s lives through direct, high-impact programs.
This trip to Indian Wells is a shining example of how FOG RALLY doesn’t just drive Ferraris—it drives futures.
Thank You to Our Community
The FOG RALLY and FOCF communities made this trip possible through your support, participation, and belief in the mission. You helped open doors for students like Antwon—and gave coaches the tools to turn aspiration into action.
We are honored to support EPATT and look forward to sharing more stories from our FOCF Fund for Kids partners in the months to come.
Learn more at epatt.org
Follow @fogrally_focf for more highlights