Playing tennis at St. Andrew's

At the St. Andrew's Clinic in Nogales, Ariz., Grant Alley can be known as the "tennis ball man."

That's because at each clinic, Alley, an avid tennis player, brings about 300 tennis balls for the kids to play with. While it can be seen as merely something to keep the 225 kids or so occupied while they are waiting for treatment in the clinic, Alley sees it another way.

Alley said it brings him great satisfaction to see the kids, who are all at the clinic for critical health treatment, get some exercise and to have fun by being athletic and throwing the balls around.

“They love it,” Alley said. “My favorite part is just seeing the look on the kids’ faces. Each youngster has a little bit different of a look, but it’s always a look of gratitude.”

Alley has volunteered at the clinic since 2004 and helped out with the parking situation in the church's parking lot. In 2005, he had the idea to bring tennis balls for all the children because he had seen them just sitting around with their families in the mornings waiting for the clinic to open.

“The idea came about with all these youngsters here that get here as early as 6:30 in the morning was to bring them some tennis balls that we’re not using and let’s bring them and play with them here,” he said.

Several kids, while waiting outside the church for treatment, entertained themselves by playing catch with one another. Some tested their arm strength by seeing how far they could throw the balls in the parking lot. Others tossed the balls against a wall, while others used the wall as a partial handball court.

“The motivation is to keep the youngsters occupied during the time they’re here and we find that it’s so great because when they see us drive in, they come down. They know what we’re doing,” Alley added.