Pickleball tourney serves up relief for hurricane-ravaged Jamaica. What to know
Local organizers are getting together to benefit Jamaica through a pickleball tournament at the Miramar Pickleball Club.
Sponsored by Miramar Commissioner Carson “Eddy” Edwards, the Jamaica Hurricane Relief Tournament will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 8 a.m. at 3198 SW 176th Terrace.
The event is a partnership between Melissa Murray, owner of Melari Enterprise, and Shak’s Hope Foundation.
“Seeing the devastation that [Hurricane Melissa] has left my country with, it was only right that I do something that I can to give back,” Murray told the Miramar News.
“I’m not just raising money, I’m trying to help rebuild lives,” she said.
Murray plays tennis and pickleball, which led to the idea of a tournament benefitting Jamaica, where she was born and raised.
Shak’s Hope helps sickle cell patients throughout Florida and Jamaica, at institutions such as Mandeville Hospital and Black River Hospital, which was destroyed in the hurricane.
Founder Andrea Hall told the Miramar News that some of the money from the pickleball tournament will go toward support and relief for the sickle cell patients affected. The rest of the money will help them take supplies to Jamaica.
Together, the goal is to bring practical, immediate relief to families, and long-term relief through Shak’s Hope.
According to the Miramar Pickleball Club site, the event is expected to have music, gifts for the tournament winners and a community atmosphere.
Players can compete in women’s doubles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles 50+, played across six outdoor courts.
Attendees can also enter several raffles for prizes, according to an Instagram post from Melari Enterprise. Prizes include a cybertruck rental, pedicure, Orange Bowl tickets, Spirit flight voucher and a two-night Marriott stay.
The registration fee is $60 and is non-refundable . Registration ends at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
