Each year I try to do my part by donating a portion of all my tournament winnings to each of these worthy organizations:

Staci and Rich Grodin founded Turn the Corner Foundation in February of 2002. Staci has suffered from Lyme disease since 1994 and through her diagnosis and treatment over the past eleven years, she has uncovered a strong need for research and funding in the area of tick-borne diseases. My sister, Teri Raser, has also been suffering with Lyme disease for over three years now. It has been an absolute nightmare for my family as she has been misdiagnosed countless times by “experts” all over the country.

Teri is such a gifted, talented and hilarious girl and has had the life completely sucked out of her by this horrible disease. She had to be pulled out of The University of Miami, where she was on an academic scholarship. She had straight A’s, the #1 blog on the UM website, a badass job running the showroom for a couture designer, was running the UM concert series, while double-majoring in communications and political science (like her big brother). She is on the road to recovery, but it continues to be a very trying time for her and our entire family. Please keep Teri in your prayers. She is truly a gift to this world and without a doubt my favorite person in life.

Lyme disease is growing at rate four times faster than AIDS and is quickly becoming our nation’s most misdiagnosed and fastest-growing infectious disease. Educating the public and physicians about this disease and the progression of treatment is essential.

Turn the Corner is dedicated to the support of research, education, awareness and innovative treatments for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

The Foundation makes grants to medical associations, hospitals, colleges and other research organizations to advance, by clinical study, laboratory research, data gathering and other research methods, knowledge of the causes, progression and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

Check out this heartfelt PSA about Lyme Disease by my sister’s close friend, Candice Accola, star of The Vampire Diaries:

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Cents of Relief, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, endeavors to allow vulnerable populations, particularly women in prostitution and their children, access to healthcare and prevention from human trafficking. This charity is dear to my heart because it was started by a close friend of mine from highschool named Anup Patel. He is making in difference in this world in many many ways.

Their projects are dedicated to providing educational opportunities, improving healthcare, and stopping human trafficking in hopes of permitting these individuals to enjoy the basic necessities of life.

The funds and supplies raised by Cents of Relief have gone towards giving women and children in prostitution educational, medical, and nutritional support. More specifically, Cents of Relief has sent children of women in prostitution to boarding schools, provided for a part-time doctor at local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and fed numerous women in prostitution.

Yet, they require your help to alleviate the atrocities occurring in the red-light areas. Cents of Relief can utilize your contributions in its effort to reduce human trafficking and health problems in the red-light areas of India.

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Rowdy Gaines, 3-time Olympic Champion and America’s foremost swimming ambassador, brings unique talent to The Limu Company. Whether he is meeting with our TLC Members, appearing on national TV shows, commentating for the most important swimming events in the world, managing Rowdy’s Kidz as its Executive Director or taking part in our own TLC events, Rowdy is a tremendous asset to the TLC family!

The brainchild of Rowdy and TLC Founder, President and CEO Gary Raser, Rowdy’s Kidz is a wellness initiative focused on helping America’s youth create healthier lifestyles and more confident futures.

Kids today need positive role models, and there is no better person to motivate children to do their very best than Rowdy Gaines, a role model for all time. As the Executive Director of Rowdy’s Kidz, Rowdy embodies the commitment, dedication and sacrifice that it takes to be a champion in the truest sense of the word. Beyond his remarkable successes in the pool, Rowdy has a unique passion for helping children.

The father of four daughters… Emily, Madison, Savanna and Isabelle… and dedicated to his wife Judy, Rowdy says “I’m very excited because Rowdy’s Kidz are truly tomorrow’s champions. The Limu Company is all about making a difference and so is our Rowdy’s Kidz program. It’s my personal goal to help more and more kids everywhere find their passion and reach their dreams, not just in swimming but in life.”

The Rowdy’s Kidz program was created to help children achieve the positive can-do attitude that champions share. Through school visits and presentations, free swim clinics, online tools and a host of other events and activities, it is our hope that Rowdy’s Kidz will reach all children with a message based on creating brighter futures for them and with them, as they become champions in life.

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The Orlando Union Rescue Mission has been caring for the hungry and hurting in the Orlando area since its founding in 1948 by a group of Christian businessmen. H.B. Austin, Joseph P. Rutland, S.B. Peele, C.E. Parsons, E.P. Martin, J.P. Lowery, George Stuart and M.J. Wiggins met at the Broadway Methodist Church with Reverend Harry Moore to establish the non-stock, non-profit corporation.

Since 1988 OUR Mission Home has helped over a thousand families gain secure employment, achieve self-sufficiency, become active in local churches and to grow in grace and spiritual maturity.

In a continuing effort to increase opportunities for self-improvement to our residents, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission built a multi-purpose Family Life Center in 1998. The 23,000 sq. ft. facility includes classrooms, the Career Learning Center, a library, full-size gymnasium, a nursery and child care and an exercise area.