Charles Hinckley of Old Lyme loves tennis. So when his mom told him he needed to decide on a long-term community service project, his mind immediately went to his favorite sport.

“I figured that surely there would be a tennis program for kids with special needs in our area,” said Charles’ mom, Tammy Hinckley. “I had heard of buddy baseball, soccer and basketball but couldn’t find any tennis programs. We decided to start our own program.”

The pair started the Tennis PALS Foundation, held fundraisers and received grants from the United States Tennis Association to get it going. From July 8-12, they held a weeklong program at Lyme-Old Lyme High School with 17 athletes, 10 volunteers and two tennis pros.

“We were amazed at the turnout and response,” Tammy said in an email. “We are definitely going to hold programs every summer but are now brainstorming to come up with programs that we can run during the year as well.”

Tammy reported that the athletes who participated “definitely left wanting to play more.” And the volunteers “left every day with the biggest smiles on their faces.”

For more information, visit TennisPALS.org.

Kindness in Real Life is a regular feature in the Times. To submit, email times@theday.com.