When it first started 10 years ago, the Ping Pong Club had many resources from which to draw money. In fact, it was the club members’ parents who gave them money with which to buy pingpong tables. The members held car washes, bake sales and other fundraising activites. But now, the economic downturn has taken its toll, and club sponsor Cathy Lyman, along with club members, are left wondering how much longer they can last. To make matters worse, vandalism has interupted their efforts to remain a school club.

“We started out with seven tables and now only have five,” Lyman said. “We are not sure where the other two talbes are and have no money left to buy more. This means that our tournament on Nov. 4 is going to take longer [than expected.]'”

Lyman is thankful for the help of those parents 10 years ago, but the club is struggling now that the money well has run dry.

“Fortunately, I have built a reserve, so we have a lot of excess balls and paddles that we share with the p.e. classes,” Lyman said. “One of our nets just broke through, and we need money to replace that.”

However, the club is lucky enough to have a parent volunteer who helps the members with their skills for free.