Marin Teen Turns Love Of Sports Into $90K Fundraising Effort

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A Marin County high school student who has raised more than $90,000 through a sports-based philanthropy platform is preparing for her latest fundraiser, this time benefiting women and children in Uganda.

Olivia Shekou, a senior at The Branson School, is partnering with San Rafael resident and longtime Marin philanthropist Melissa Prandi to host Paddles for Purpose on Saturday at Flyte Racquet Club in San Rafael.

The event is the latest organized through Netting Miracles, a platform Shekou founded to help students turn tennis, pickleball and padel events into fundraisers for causes they care about.

What began with a single pickleball fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has since grown into an effort working with students and nonprofit organizations across the country. Shekou has now raised more than $90,000 through Netting Miracles, according to information provided by the organization.

Rather than organizing every fundraiser herself, Shekou created a system that other students can use to launch their own events. The platform provides fundraising resources, event frameworks, sponsorship guidance and connections with nonprofit organizations.

"I founded Netting Miracles to transform how young people engage with philanthropy—not as participants, but as initiators," said Shekou. "What matters most is how many students step into leadership when the path to getting started is clear and accessible."

Shekou has previously hosted several events at Flyte Racquet Club, including a tournament that drew more than 100 participants and raised nearly $16,000 for St. Jude.

Netting Miracles has also expanded beyond Marin. The initiative was previously active across 17 states supporting St. Jude, with students elsewhere using Shekou's model to organize their own fundraisers.

Theo Paddles for Purpose event on Saturday marks another expansion for the platform. Proceeds will support education and empowerment initiatives benefiting women and children in Uganda.

Shekou also serves as a 2026 peer advisor for the St. Jude Leadership Society's national cohort, where she mentors student leaders from around the country.