David Brevard's Fundraising Appeal for Dennis Otono --

I am organizing this fundraiser for my friend, Dennis Otono, who is scheduled for glaucoma surgery on March 31st, and for a left knee replacement on April 19th. Without the financial support of myself and others who are motivated to help, he will not survive. As a minimum, he would likely lose his house. Dennis will be unable to pay essential bills during the time of these surgeries as well as the healing, rehabilitation, and recovery period. Dennis will need help to pay his mortgage, utilities, food, and medical expenses not covered by the health insurance policy he has secured through the Affordable Care Act.

Numerous donors, including probably several of you, made donations to a fundraiser on GoFundMe organized last spring by Scott Reed. This fundraiser was in advance of the right knee replacement that Dennis had last March. Dennis, Scott, and I are grateful for the donors who generously contributed a combined total of $15,465.00 to last year’s appeal, and the financial support made the difference for Dennis. The fund has approximately $300.00 remaining. My goal is to raise at least another $20,000.00 in this new appeal for help.

My friendship with Dennis originated through tennis at the City Park here in Tupelo, MS, where he taught group and private lessons on the public courts. I observed his patience and effectiveness in teaching both children and adults. I also marveled at his speed, power, and control as a player. I began to take regular lessons from Dennis, and our friendship grew from our time on the tennis court together.

Over time I was surprised to learn that Dennis was not an employee of the City of Tupelo Park & Recreation Department, but an independent contractor without a regular paycheck, health insurance, retirement benefits, or anything else. Tupelo would have liked to hire Dennis as an employee, but the City could not because he was neither a U. S. citizen nor a green card holder. Dennis was a native and citizen of Nigeria.

In Nigeria, Dennis was a track and field star. He won four gold medals in the national competition and was a member of Nigeria’s 1976 Olympics team, but they were sent home after the track and field preliminaries due to threats against them. Dennis received four scholarship offers from universities in the States, and he accepted one from Mississippi State University because there was a fellow Nigerian on the team. He had a strong winning record at M.S.U. and is a world-class track and field athlete. He picked up tennis after his track and field career ended and within a few years, he was one of the best tennis players in the State of Mississippi, ranking as high as number 7 in the South.

Dennis has worked with over 1,250 children and youth throughout his 33 years of teaching here in Tupelo. He has a gift for connecting with and gaining the confidence of those he coaches and focuses on teaching life values such as courtesy, respect, honesty, determination, perseverance and good sportsmanship.

My two daughters did not choose to play tennis when they were younger, but if they had, I would have placed my full confidence and trust in Dennis to teach them about not only tennis but also life. I know the youth who grew up in Tupelo, and with Dennis, are better off because of his influence.

Dennis’s spirit and work ethic continue to be strong, but the “broken” condition of his body limits his earning capacity as well as his quality of life. Please join me in responding generously to this appeal for financial support. Together let’s raise at least another $20,000.00 to help Dennis Otono in his time of need as two surgeries rapidly approach.