Crofton Kelly, 11, has found a way to combine his love for tennis and a fervent desire to help others.

His third annual Tennis Fun Fest took place on Sunday at the Hinsdale Racquet Club, with more than 35 children in attendance competing in fun drills and raising money for Treasure Chest — an organization that provides toys for children with pediatric cancer in the Chicago area.

The first year the tennis event was held at a park in his hometown of La Grange for Katrina victims. Last year, the event was again held in La Grange and raised about $400 for the Tyler Duelm Fund — a fund to help pay for the medical bills for a family friend whose son who died of cancer at age 3.

This year, Crofton was on a mission to make it even bigger, and his efforts seemed to have paid off.

While money is still being collected, Crofton said they’re hoping to have raised about $4,000. A large part of that success he credited to his coach Thomas Cahill, director of tennis at both the La Grange Country Club and Hinsdale Racquet Club, who donated both his time and prizes for the event. Cahill gave Crofton the courts for three hours and helped run the day with his brother Tony, a tennis pro at both clubs.

“Crofton is always thinking about those who are less fortunate and how he can make a difference,” Cahill said. “When I see that spirit in a young man like that I just want to nurture it, I want it to grow.”

One of the big hits of the day was “rally for a cure,” an event where children went out and got pledges from family and friends on how many hits they can rally with a pro in a row. Cahill said he and Crofton set the bar high with 622 hits, until his brother Tony and a 12-year-old from the club rallied for more than 30 minutes to tally 910 hits. Cahill said their ball was brand new when they started and looked like it had gone to war by the end of the rally.

Crofton said the event was great to be in charge of and he loved seeing everyone have a good time. He is already planning next year’s event with Cahill, who told those in attendance that whoever signs up the most new participants next year will get a new racket.

Cahill said it will again be at the Hinsdale Racquet Club but instead of August it will be held in June. He expects it to be four times as large, and other pros have already expressed interest in helping out.

Crofton’s charitable efforts stretch off the court. He spent two summers decorating flip-flops for his charity “Flip Over Crofton,” which raised about $6,000 to help build a sports program at an inner city school.

“I think what Crofton is doing is inspiring others to do the right thing, and it’s been fun to see that,” said his mother, Alison.

One member of the club unexpectedly donated gift baskets on Sunday, showing how Crofton’s efforts inspire a “pay it forward” mentality.

“I think it’s important to help those less fortunate,” Crofton said. “Because if I didn’t have sports equipment or if I had suffered through Katrina or if I had cancer, I’d want somebody to do what I’m doing.”