Fuel the Drive, a non-profit organization that expands access to golf and tennis for children from low-income families, has announced plans to substantially increase the number of young people it assists in the coming year. Founder and president Terry Aikin stated the organization has set ambitious New Year's resolutions, aiming to impact at least five times as many young people as it did in 2025. The organization, which removes financial barriers to youth sports participation, sponsors children's introduction to golf and tennis by covering essential program costs.
Eligible participants receive funding for registration in local PGA Junior League and U.S. Tennis Association programs, along with training guidance and equipment. Aikin emphasized that children's involvement in these sports fuels personal growth and helps develop confidence, self-discipline and leadership. As children develop their golf or tennis skills and compete with peers, they learn to lead, believe in themselves and create pathways to more successful futures. The organization's approach demonstrates how structured sports environments can promote self-confidence, perseverance and personal growth by removing cost barriers that often prevent participation.
Aikin noted that participation in golf and tennis programs consistently contributes to the development of transferable life skills, including self-discipline, teamwork and problem-solving. He shared the success story of Mavarro, who has played in the PGA Junior League program for three years with Fuel the Drive's assistance. Mavarro's father reported that playing golf has helped his son develop patience and confidence, earning him an award for perseverance. Furthermore, Mavarro's love for golf has translated into increased analytical skills that help him tackle challenges in school and life, illustrating how sports participation extends benefits beyond athletic performance.
Fuel the Drive has introduced golf to more than 100 children annually for the past three years and has provided access to tennis programs for more than 500 children. Building on this impact, the organization has set a specific goal to expand its golf programming to serve more than 500 young athletes in 2026. This represents a significant scaling of operations and reflects growing recognition of how youth sports participation can address broader social challenges by developing essential life competencies in underserved communities.
To achieve these expansion targets, Fuel the Drive is increasing outreach to enlist more donors. Aikin reported that while their existing donor base has been generous, the organization seeks to significantly grow that base to achieve its 2026 objectives. The non-profit has launched a new website at https://www.fuelthedrive.org and is expanding digital outreach to engage partners, community stakeholders and new donors. With support from both new and existing contributors, the organization believes it can fuel personal development in many more children, enabling them to achieve greater success in various aspects of their lives.
