Jake Waldman, a Harriton sophomore, plays squash for more than just the fun of the game. Four years ago, Waldman helped found Squash Strokes, a charity squash tournament held every year at the Germantown Cricket Club. All proceeds from raffle prizes and entry fees go to the Pediatric Stroke Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Waldman spoke to The Harriton Banner about his work with the tournament.

The Harriton Banner: When did you start the organization?

Jake Waldman: I started Squash Strokes with my family, because my sister had a stroke when she was around four or five years old. So we started [this organization] for the program at CHOP. Strokes are sort of an underrated health issue [for] children, and not everyone really knows about it. But in reality, it’s the sixth leading cause of death in children – and that’s really not okay! There is not a lot of money being donated towards research for this cause, so we are one of the only organizations that donate towards pediatric strokes.

HB: How many years have you been holding this event for?

JW: This past September was our fourth annual tournament. We get sponsors for the tournament from racquet squash companies, like Dunlop and Arrow, Harvard Squash, and [companies] like that. They give us raffle prizes, and people put money toward them to win. The money from their tickets go toward [our program].

HB: What are your plans for Squash Strokes in the future?

JW: So basically we are thinking about pairing up with US Squash, which is like the national squash organization. We want to work with them at tournaments and set up individual raffle prize tables, so that we can get our name out there to the US squash player population.

HB: Is Squash Strokes only in our area or has it spread out to different locations?

JW: It is mostly in our area, during the annual tournament. But on average, around thirty players come each year. We make around $3,500 for the Pediatric Stroke Program at CHOP.

If you play squash or know someone who does, Waldman encourages you to join the tournament and “donate to a cause that is really helpful to children and [supports] research for better treatment and diagnosis.” For more information, visit www.squashstrokes.org and stay tuned for the next Squash Strokes event.