Clutching their tennis rackets, garbed in athletic gear, community mothers and daughters eagerly made their way to the Deal Casino courts. The tennis tournament for S.E.A.D., the Special Education Academy of Deal, was underway by 8 am. Women were excited to play with their families, as Frieda Gheriani confirmed, “Where else do you get to play with your grandmother and mother in a tournament? This is the only tournament where you are playing with family, not friends.”
Founded by Morris A. Sutton in 2002, SEAD is a community school dedicated to assisting children with learning challenges. The school designs a personalized education plan for every child, tailored to his or her unique learning issues. With dedicated teachers, expert therapists, a small staff/student ratio, and a warm, nurturing school environment, all children have the chance to reach their full potential.
In the previous generation, the Jersey Shore never had a school that 
catered to children with special needs. Mr. Sutton explained, “Essentially, SEAD is a safety net for children who can’t keep up in mainstream schools; our trained staff supplies them with the tools they need, not just to go back to the mainstream, but to develop into productive community members. Why should our children struggle?”
With a delicious breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and fruit, the mothers and daughters enjoyed connecting and catching up. Lauren Zalta 
expressed, “The tournament is a great way to spend time with my mom and do hesed at the same time”.
At the tournament, the enthusiasm and spirits were high. Player, Sara Nardea felt great playing for this cause. Players and guests were delighted to take home complimentary gift bags and t-shirts. Although they had fun at the event, they knew the benefit and purpose it served. Player, Alice Mizrahi, summed up the day perfectly, saying, “It is a 
beautiful thing to stop and take the time out to think about someone other than yourself. This teaches our children values.”
With tuition tallying to over $40,000 a year per child, a SEAD education does not come easy. Now, more than ever, the school finds itself significantly behind on their financial obligations. SEAD turns to our dear community to clear its deficit and restore the financial stability of their school. Your donation will help secure the future of these precious 
children. Every child has a dream. For information about sponsorship opportunities or to find out more about how SEAD can help your child, please call (732) 460-1700, or, e-mail: office@seadprogram.org.
SEAD would like to thank Gail Cohen and Joyce Dweck for planning and executing a marvelous tournament. Thank you to volunteers Anne Tawil, Dave Ballas, Ruthie Shalom, and Becky Cohen. Very special thanks to Bill and Christian of the Deal Casino; Rochelle Matalon for the wonderful gift bags; and Joey and Jeanette Sabbagh and family for the t-shirts.
______________
Raquel Laniado is a graduate of Hunter College.. She is a singer and performer, and a writer for IMAGE Magazine and Sephardic Bikur Holim.
