FERNDALE, Wash. — A Ferndale Chamber of Commerce press release announced today they raised enough during the 2019 Makayla’s Street JAM to donate $20,000 and 266 blankets to the Strong Against Cancer fundraising initiative at Seattle Children’s hospital.
2019 marked the 7th year of the annual Ferndale 3-on-3 basketball tournament for all ages. The tournament was created by the Ferndale Girls Basketball Association (FGBA) after Makayla Nicolaas, a competitive 3-on-3 tournament athlete, passed away from childhood cancer at the age of 13.
According to the press release, “By hosting a 3-on-3 tournament in her name we celebrate her love of the sport, and the Ferndale community who came around her and her family.”
According to the event’s website, FGBA felt a calling to help create this event for Makayla since Makayla and her 2 sisters had played on FGBA teams, mom, Karen, had served on the Chelsey Ebert Jam Committee and dad Rick coached Makayla’s team.
The Ferndale Chamber has taken over organizing the event for the past 2 years.
The annual event has raised over $120,000 during the past 7 years according to the press release. Strong Against Cancer achieved its goal of raising $100-million this year according to Seattle Children’s website.