Madison Keys hands out Medal of Kindness to “tireless” Charleston tennis community leader

ZipRecruiter Player Resume: Madison Keys

As the Founding Champion of Kindness Wins, Madison Keys has made it her mission to spread positivity wherever she goes—including the Credit One Charleston Open, where she gave out a Medal of Kindness to recognize a ‘tireless’ worker in the local tennis community.

On Saturday, the former Charleston champion presented April Gift with a medal for her work as a Community Program Development Manager at USTA South Carolina and as a local Junior Team Tennis Coordinator.

“I was so touched when I learned how much April does for the tennis community of Charleston, specifically all the time and effort she puts into outreach for juniors,” Keys said. “She works tirelessly to get more young people playing the sport, which is not only great for tennis but also great for the kids to get out and have fun doing something new.”

In addition to teaching local youth the skills of tennis and building their confidence and love for the game, Gift also works to coordinate scholarships for youth in the JTT programs who can’t afford it.

“The Medal of Kindness is all about honoring those who do so much out of the goodness of their hearts, and that’s exactly what April does,” Keys said.

While in Charleston, Keys also recognized Michelle Savell, an employee at South Carolina-based health tech company Thorne, with a Medal of Kindness. Keys, who is also a Thorne ambassador, highlighted Savell’s efforts as a local advocate for inclusive youth athletics.

“Michelle’s efforts to make sport and play available to all children, including those with special needs, is amazing. Michelle is a hero and so worthy of this recognition,” Keys said during a visit to the company’s manufacturing facility.

Other recipients this year include James Blake, the Miami Open tournament director, for his cancer research and efforts to champion equality, and Larry Salas, for his efforts as a Coachella Valley youth tennis leader and at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.