Chris Evert charity event set for Nov. 3-5

Former tennis star Chris Evert will continue to raise awareness of drug abuse and child neglect in South Florida when she hosts her 28th annual Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic on Nov. 3-5 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center and the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam singles championships and three in doubles, will be joined by a lineup of sports and entertainment celebrities.

Evert’s efforts — which began in 1989 following her retirement from pro tennis — have raised more than $23 million, including $700,000 in 2016.

The charity event includes a Pro-Am; a Pro-Celebrity Gala with dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions; and two days of Pro-Celebrity Tennis.

Evert remains determined to make a difference in the South Florida community.

“When I meet the people who are benefiting from our work, it gives me the drive to continue,” Evert said. “Drug abuse tears apart families and is a national epidemic that is right here in our community.”

The money raised by Chris Evert Charities is distributed to programs funded through the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County.

Evert also funds an annual college scholarship as part of the Pro-Celebrity event.

For information on tickets and sponsorships or to volunteer to work at the event, go to www.chrisevert.org.