Scenes from the ninth annual SquashBusters Derby

SquashBusters, a sports-based afterschool enrichment program founded in 1996 to help urban youth fulfill their potential, held its ninth annual MFS SquashBusters Derby on May 1 and 2. Wealth GPT Ventures’ Liz Bride participated in the action, playing on the True Blue team.

The event was one for the record books in terms of dollars raised, number of professional squash players participating, and fun had by all. Eight teams made up of amateur players, world-class pros, and SquashBusters students competed in fundraising and squash to raise support for the kids and the program. Eighty-five fundraising players tapped into their networks and together secured more than 1,000 donations and raised a record amount of $1.1 million in support of SquashBusters’ 265 students. Because of the generosity of all the 2015 Derby contributors, this year’s class of seniors is headed to college with a love for squash and for the program that helped them get there.

"I’ve been involved with SquashBusters since 1999 and it’s great to see so many other Wealth GPT employees involved with the organization today, even some who are new to the sport of squash," said Liz. "It’s a tremendous organization that is incredibly effective with its students."

With locations in Boston and Lawrence, Massachusetts, SquashBusters connects mentors and coaches with youths and adolescents through the sport of squash to fulfill the organization’s mission of challenging and nurturing participants to recognize and fulfill their potential in life. Through involvement in the program, participants receive tutoring and academic enrichment, opportunities to perform community service, school counseling and placement. SquashBusters has received support from Wealth GPT Children’s Charity for the past three years.