Michelle O’Neill tourney returns to the beach

“Michelle was a very fun-loving, happy person, and this does bring a smile to a lot of people’s faces; it’s representative of her personality,” said Carol O’Neill, founder of the Michelle O’Neill Foundation and the volleyball tournament that bears her late daughter’s name.

The Michelle O’Neill Volleyball Tournament will be held this Saturday, Sept. 6, at Laurelton Boulevard beach. The rain date is set for Sunday. The event was traditionally held at the West End of the boardwalk, but organizers were forced to relocate it last year during the boardwalk reconstruction. The new location worked out so well, that O’Neill said that they decided to return to Laurelton. The opening ceremony is at 9 a.m., with the tournament immediately following.

The money raised from the tournament benefits the Michelle O’Neill Foundation. Started in honor of O’Neill’s daughter, Michelle, who died of cancer in 1996 at age 24, the foundation helps families of children who are undergoing treatment for catastrophic diseases and special needs by providing financial assistance for the costs that insurance does not cover.

O’Neill said that putting on an event of this scale is exhausting, but when she gets word that the foundation can help another family in need, those are the moments that spur her on and help her keep going. Four of the families that the foundation has helped will be on stage during the opening ceremony, and seeing them on the beach is one of O’Neill’s favorite parts of the day.

The tournament has become a marquee event in Long Beach, and in its 18th year, O’Neill said it’s amazing to look back at how it’s grown. She said that in the first year, the tournament used 11 volleyball nets, and she ordered 200 shirts for the participants’ and spectators. Last year, they used 55 nets and had to order thousands of shirts. Last summer’s event had 307 teams, 1,800 participants and thousands of spectators throughout the day.

“People tell me all the time that they look forward to it; it’s their favorite day on the beach,” O’Neill said. “It’s not just an opportunity to help these children, but to get together with neighbors and end the summer on a very high, positive note.”

O’Neill described Long Beach as a “close-knit, caring and generous” community, and she is glad that community members have helped her daughter’s spirit live on.
“Her wish was to help others and she is, through the foundation, she is fulfilling her wish.”

On Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Catholic Regional School gym, there will be a team bag pick up for those who pre-registered, and last-minute team registration. For more information on the tournament and the Michelle O’Neill Foundation, visit www.monfoundation.org.