“Dare to Dream” was the slogan for the 23rd annual Champions for Children Gala and, through funds raised at the event, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation can help even more kids do just that.
The nonprofit reached its $5 million Capital Campaign goal with help from contributions through the gala, which was held Oct. 17 at the Florida Blue Conference Center in Jacksonville. The Capital Campaign funds will go toward the foundation’s Teen Center, which is being built at Emmett Reed Park in Jacksonville. The new 13,000-plus-square-foot facility will be used to provide more assistance and support for area teens.
During the gala, attendees were able to meet teens who are having their dreams fulfilled through help from the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, including hearing a testimonial from the 2019 Student Athlete of the Year and recipient of a $5,000 college scholarship Tyhlur Reynolds.
Former Jaguars player Donovin Darius served as the keynote speaker at the event.
“The work for me was not just on the field, it was using your image, your likeness, your ability, everything for a greater cause beyond yourself,” Darius said. “One of the things I admire most about Mal Washington is that he’s doing that. Building a greater family, a greater community – he’s going to continue doing that for years to come.”
MaliVai Washington, who was a Wimbledon finalist in 1996, began the foundation 23 years, with the goal of introducing tennis to low-income children in the Jacksonville area. Since then, the foundation has assisted thousands of area children and grown to include school and summer youth development programs positively impacting hundreds of Jacksonville kids each year.
More than 450 business leaders and community members attended this year’s gala and raised more than $250,000 at the event. Also, during the gala, the USTA Florida Section Foundation made the announcement it would be donating $50,000 to the Capital Campaign.
“We are thrilled to have received such a generous gift,” Washington said in a press release. “The unwavering support from the USTA Florida Section Foundation and this evening’s generous $50,000 gift not only helped us pass our $5 million goal for our Club 904, but it will help us continue to serve hope and change the lives of thousands of youth for decades to come.”
For more information on the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, go to www.malwashington.com.
