Help Mary Eldridge Rebuild After Hurricane Milton

Hello, we are reaching out on behalf of our dear friend, Mary Eldridge, an icon in shuffleboard history.

Hurricane Milton destroyed Mary’s home of 30 years, destroying not just the structure, but also almost all of her belongings. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in having a mobile home insured in Florida, she did not have insurance to help her rebuild. Mary is facing a long list of financial obligations including demolishing and removing what remains of her home. She is working with FEMA to get any assistance that is being offered, but we are confident that they will only provide a fraction of what Mary needs.

Mary is a beloved figure in our community, especially to those who know her from the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Many consider the club a “third space”—a place where friendships bloom, families grow, and a sense of community flourishes. But few may know that Mary was the one who kept this cherished space alive during a time when it was at risk of disappearing. Mary first moved to St. Pete in the 1960s because she had heard that it was “the place” to go if she wanted to be a serious shuffleboard player. She played with many of the shuffleboard greats, such as Mae Hall, Lucy McGee, Bill Folberth, and Carl Spillman- and was friends with other influential shufflers who wrote some of the instructional books we know and love, such as P.C. Bullard, Omero Catan, and Karl Von Schuler.

Mary spent decades playing highly competitive shuffleboard and is widely considered to be one of the best shufflers of all time. She moved back to her hometown of Warrensburg, New York for a short time in the 1980s, but came back to Florida when she learned that her beloved St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club was in danger of being closed.

She took on the role of President of the Club when city officials considered repurposing or selling the property due to a decline in membership. Despite facing many challenges keeping the Club open, Mary didn’t give up. As a dedicated shuffleboard player herself, Mary set aside her own ambitions to serve as the Club’s caretaker. Her desk plaque, which read “Evolve or Dissolve,” embodied her resilience and forward-thinking spirit.

When local artists approached her about playing shuffleboard, she welcomed them with open arms. This partnership gave birth to the club’s now-famous Friday Nights, a tradition that sparked a revival, helping the club grow to nearly 2,700 members. Thanks to Mary’s welcoming spirit, the shuffleboard club has become a community hub, forming connections and memories that enrich the lives of all who visit. If you have ever played shuffleboard in St. Pete, you undoubtedly have seen Mary watching games and offering advice to new and experienced shufflers alike.

Today, Mary needs our help. She has given so much to our community, creating a space that has brought us together and allowed us to forge lifelong friendships. Now it’s our chance to give back to her. We’re raising funds to help Mary rebuild her life and replace the belongings she lost in Hurricane Milton. Your generosity will help her get back on her feet, showing her that the love and community she’s nurtured over the years are here for her in her time of need. Mary is currently trying to determine exactly how much she needs to remove the remnants of her home, rebuild or find a new home, and replace her furniture, clothing, and electronics. We will update this page as she gets more information about her needs.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. Please consider donating and sharing Mary’s story with others who may want to help. Let’s come together to support Mary, just as she has always supported us. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and generosity.

Sincerely,

Josh Dulabaum and Stephanie Swain