Dear Friends,
KATE KUP Weekend is being postponed. We are saddened by this delay and have wrestled with this decision but believe it is the best one at this time.
We have been closely monitoring the current COVID-19 surge and hospitalization rates in the Jacksonville area. We also have consulted with local hospital officials and city officials to obtain current data and guidance. The Delta variant is more highly contagious, has been spreading throughout our city for several weeks, appears to be affecting children more significantly than previous strains, and has placed an enormous burden on our hospital system across the board. This week, Jacksonville hospitals are at 99% capacity and 93% ICU bed capacity. Wolfson Children’s Hospital is at 97% capacity, which means there are only 15 beds available to treat a child in the event of illness or injury. And, in the first week of school, both Duval County and St. Johns County school districts are reporting an escalating number of positive cases among students and faculty every day.
As you all know, KATE KUP Weekend is a large event, with hundreds of participants in close proximity for 6-12 hours at a time. We typically host more than 300 guests for the Players Party on Friday night and another 300+ participants on Tourney Day including Players, Volunteers, Business Vendors and Spectators. We have spent the last two weeks brainstorming various scenarios to modify the KATE KUP to ensure safety and we had hoped that a tennis tournament outdoors could be hosted safely. However, even a simplified, single-day tournament still presents exposure risks, especially for our Volunteers who are vital to the event and our organization.
We have wrestled with this decision, because we have worked so hard to put together an amazing weekend for all of you and we have waited so long to celebrate together for the foundation’s mission. But, given the current burden on our local hospitals and the rising case numbers in area schools that may further impact our community and our hospitals, we cannot in good conscience host the KATE KUP as originally planned on Labor Day Weekend. We will always prioritize the health and safety of our Players, Volunteers, and their families because you are our friends and neighbors. As soon as the current surge and hospital strain has passed, we will reschedule. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with you and our incredible healthcare community working tirelessly to keep us all safe.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
In Gratitude,
Jeff and Lisa Amato
