VERO BEACH — ATP star and Vero Beach native Mardy Fish will host a Kids’ Tennis Clinic at Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest to benefit the Mardy Fish Foundation on Friday, Dec. 11 at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club. Fish will join local pros from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Kids’ Tennis Clinic where, for $30, local children will have an opportunity to trade tennis strokes with Mardy and the local pros. Proceeds from Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest go to the Mardy Fish Foundation, which Fish created in 2006 to support youth organizations in Indian River County.
“I created my Foundation in order to help the local youth in Indian River County and it is a pleasure to be able to help instill a passion for tennis in the next generation,” said Fish who is collaborating with childhood friend and country music star Jake Owen for Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest.
The Kids’ Tennis Clinic kicks off the fun-filled weekend on Friday, followed by a special performance by Jake Owen at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. On Saturday, Dec. 12, guests will enjoy a Barbeque Luncheon including a live and silent auction. Wrapping-up the event will be an exciting Tennis Exhibition featuring Mardy Fish vs. James Blake with a doubles match to follow.
The Mardy Fish Foundation has utilized funds from Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest to provide after school programs in the community. The Foundation opened the Pelican Island Elementary School/Mardy Fish Music Club and Health & Fitness Club September 11, 2007; an after school program that provides a place for children to go and partake in various activities that will help them better themselves using sports, music, art and dance. The Foundation is expanding the program this fall with the addition of after school programs at Glendale Elementary School, Sebastian Elementary School and JA Thompson Magnet Elementary School. In addition, the Foundation will continue to support other youth organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Vero Beach and the Youth Guidance Foundation, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children in need in Indian River County through the establishment of positive mentoring relationships with volunteer adults. The Youth Guidance Foundation will use the funds raised by the Foundation to provide children the opportunity to attend summer camp and participate in sports and music programs.
The event host sponsor is Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club and the Harrington McLaughlin Family Foundation is platinum sponsor. Other sponsors include Clear Channel – WAVE 92.7 and 103.7 FM WQOL, Comcast, George E. Warren Corporation, John’s Island Real Estate Company, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi of Melbourne, Proctor Construction Co., Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Tennis Life Magazine, TennisWeek.com, and Vero Insurance.
Tickets for the Tennis Exhibition are $75 for box seats and $35 for general admission. Tickets for the Jake Owen Concert are $100 for VIP seats, $75 for premier seats and $35 for reserved seats.
For tickets to the Tennis Exhibition and Concert, call (866) 333-7623. For information on the Kid’s Tennis Clinic or Luncheon call (561) 394.9190 or visit www.chevents.com.
