Community News 5
Ponte Vedra Recorder · October 29, 2015
Chris Evert
Photos by Susan Griffin
MaliVai Washington
Paula Anderson & Sylvester Pinckney
MWYF celebrates ‘Champions for Children’ at gala
Kelly H. McDermott
Jeff Reel
Last week, the Malivai Washing
Youth Foundation presented its largest annual fundraiser, the Current/
Sherman Group of Merrill Lynch
Champions for Children Gala at the
Florida Blue Conference Center in
Jacksonville.
The gala has traditionally raised
approximately $200,000 annually to
support the programs and services
of the MaliVai Washington Youth
Foundation (MWYF).
Eighteen MWYF students who
have earned scholarships were recognized during the dinner, and
guests had the opportunity to participate in several raffles and bid on
auction items.
Alumni members Keanna Bell and
Deshawn “Scotty” Brown gave testi-
monials about the foundation during
the dinner. Guests also heard from
founder and Ponte Vedra resident
MaliVai Washington and featured
guest Chris Evert.
“Chris’ first appearance at the Gala
was in 1997 and we are so pleased
that she has chosen to return to
support us at our 19th event,” said
MWYF Founder and Ponte Vedra
Beach resident MaliVai Washington.
“Chis’ work ethic and accomplishments both on and off the court
make her a great example for our
students.”
During her career, Evert won 18
Grand Slam titles and appeared in
either the finals or semifinals in 52
of her 56 Grand Slam appearances.
Evert’s career highlights include
holding the No. 1 rank in the world
for seven years, being the first player
to win 1,000 singles matches and
having a .904 win average during
her 17 year career.
MWYF
promotes
academic
achievement and uses tennis to engage students in an active and fun
youth development program. Their
flagship program, TnT (Tennis-nTutoring), is a comprehensive fiveday-per-week after school program
which includes tennis lessons, daily
homework assistance, and life skills
classes to Jacksonville’s most underserved youth. The mission of the
MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation is to develop champions in
classrooms, on tennis courts and
throughout communities. For more
information, visit www.malwashington.com.
Chris & Rachel
Lazzara , Cricket &
Phillip Kelly
Richards Mattress &
Wicker Warehouse
1079 Atlantic Blvd. • Atlantic Beach
Next to Elvis’s Upholstery
Vance & Claire Berry
249-3541 M-S • 11-5:30 • Sunday • 1-5
www.richardsmattressandwicker.com