MIDLAND, Texas — The Bynum School in Midland served up a big fundraiser Thursday, hosting their 2023 Smash Tennis Tournament at Midland Country Club.

The tournament is a two-day long tennis tournament featuring doubles play, while all the proceeds go towards the students who go to Bynum.

Bynum School serves special needs students, whose students are paid for by Bynum and special student grants.

All the donations and proceeds made during the event will go directly towards those students.

“I think sometimes, whenever people donate, they’re not really sure if their money is staying here, and that’s what is so important. All of the donations and everything goes back into the school,” Savannah Alvarado, the chairwoman of the 2023 Smash Tennis Tournament, said. “So if it’s improving the building or the facilities, all the way down to technology, or getting different therapies the students need, or even just paying their tuition or student grant funds.”

The tournament used to be one day only, but the event has gotten so popular over the years that a second day was added on.

“I think that West Texas is just so generous,” Alvarado said. “Bynum school has been around forever, we started in a tiny little campus outside of town. Over the past decade, we’ve really grown and I think the community has really supported that.”

Thursday’s contests were for the women’s competitors. The men will play Friday.

Over $500,000 has been raised for the students of Bynum, while a live auction will be held during the final day to raise more funds for the students.