Many people believe that defining the word "aloha" is not possible because it changes with the individuals who use it and with the situations when it's used. For us at Aloha Tennis Club, we know that aloha describes the warm, open, caring and reciprocal relationships we experience daily with our friends and families who live on Oahu and beyond.

Every year, it takes commitment from friends, family members, community members and businesses to carry on our annual Aloha Tennis Open tradition. Volunteers give a lot of their time and effort. They donate equipment, gifts, and money. And they do all that they do so that people from all around the world can come together to play, laugh, and make lasting personal connections. This is aloha.

One of this year's volunteers is Butch Dela Cruz. He is our raffle committee chair and prize coordinator. One of his biggest challenges is to find sponsors to provide us with prizes awarded at the very popular awards banquet raffle. He's been hard at work lately to find some really great prizes. Here's a sample of some great prizes he's been able to find so far:

• Gift certificates and complimentary soda/desserts La Cucuracha Mexican Bar & Grill
• Room certificates and polo shirts at the Cabana-Waikiki
• 2 nights at a 1 bedroom oceanview suite at the Ala Moana Condo-Hotel donated by Ray Chan, Realtor
• Sports Authority gift certificates donated by Jerome Santulan and Herbie Rivera
• Adidas and Nike sports apparel and accessories donated by Butch Dela Cruz
• Free Tennis Entries (Aloha Tennis Open, entry to the GLTA tournament of your choice)
• Free entry to the Rose City Open 2010

Keep checking back here to watch as the list of great prizes continues to grow. Please remember that all proceeds from the raffle go towards funding activities for this year's tennis competition and to help us prepare for ATO 2011! Also, don't forget to patronize our wonderful sponsors while you're here.