DELRAY BEACH, FL, USA - The 29th annual Chris Evert-Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic successfully raised $800,000 for ongoing campaigns against drug abuse and child neglect.
Since 1989, Evert’s efforts have contributed almost $25 million in an ongoing campaign against drug abuse and child neglect in Florida. Evert continues to raise money to fund programs that ensure a bright future for at-risk children and their families - an effort she’s undertaken since her retirement from professional tennis.
The weekend’s events included a pro-am, a charity gala and two days of pro-celebrity tennis and, as ever, WTA legend Evert was supported by a constellation of stars from tennis and Hollywood.
Among those from the world of entertainment who signed up for the fun were Sex & The City star Chris Noth, Grey’s Anatomy actor Kevin McKidd, television presenter Carson Kressley, comedian and actor Jon Lovitz, and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Seal.
From the tennis family, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe and Rennae
Stubbs all stepped up - with Navratilova and Evert combining forces to offer private tennis
lessons and lunch that went for $10,000 in the gala’s live auction.
The late Dick Siemens, one of the original founders with Evert and honorary chairman of the Pro-Celebrity Classic, was also memorialized with a new scholarship in his name. The inaugural college scholarship was presented to Nichole Haley, of Delray Beach.
Monies raised this year will assist programs funded through the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and through the Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County.
WTA Charities is the WTA's global philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive impact across the globe. Our mission is to be a social responsibility vehicle built on the WTA's values to empower and provide for a better future. We're dedicated to combining, strengthening and enhancing the community and charitable efforts of the WTA through its members (players, alumnae and tournaments), along with our partners.
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