Last Updated on April 6, 2003 by Paulette Brown-Hinds

Doublemint and the Williams sisters announced today that fans worldwide can bid on several auction items including a private tennis lesson with Serena Williams, on doublemint.com powered by uBid.com from March 24 – April 25, 2003.

The launch of the “Feel the Green” Auction, benefiting the Tom Joyner Foundation, kicked off at NASDAQ 100 where the top two female ranked players in the world took center court.

“We partnered with Doublemint on this auction because we wanted to help raise money for a good cause, “said Serena Williams. “The items up for bid provide everyone a chance to collect something special while giving back to education.”

Doublemint’s goal is to raise $10,000 for the Tom Joyner Foundation, which supports education through scholarships provided to historically Black colleges and universities. The three week charity auction will offer tennis fans a variety of different items including:

• Private tennis lesson with Serena Williams

• Tickets to the US Open in New York, donated by the Williams Sisters

• Specially designed “Doublemint Feel the Green” Wilson tennis racket signed by Serena and Venus Williams

• Serena and Venus Williams’ 2003 NASDAQ 100 outfits

• Serena Williams’ 2003 Wimbledon outfit

• Venus Williams’ 2003 French Open outfit

• Wilson tennis bags and rackets signed by Serena and Venus Williams

“Doublemint and the Williams sisters are partnering up to have some fun and raise money for education,“ said Sandra Oi, Doublemint marketing manager.

“This auction will feature some of those fun, exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that everyone will want to get their hands on.”

The “Feel the Green” concept is the current Doublemint advertising campaign featuring Venus and Serena Williams. The “Feel the Green” Auction will run from March 24 – April 25, 2003.

The exclusive Williams sanctioned items can be found at doublemint.com, powered by uBid.com. All of the proceeds will go directly to the Tom Joyner Foundation.

“We are thankful for Doublemint’s commitment to education,” said Tom Joyner, founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation. “This auction will raise funds and awareness for our cause to further strengthen the power of Black universities and colleges around the country.”

Serena and Venus Williams have gone head-to-head in the women’s singles final match in five out of the last six grand slam tournaments. They are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world.