DWIGHT HOWARD NAMED WINNER OF 2008-2009 RICH & HELEN DeVOS COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AWARD FOR THIRD TIME

OMYF recently distributed over $750,000 to 27 Central Florida organizations

Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was named the 2008-2009 winner of the Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award Saturday night at the 19th Annual OMYF Black Tie & Tennies Charity Gala Presented by M&I Bank held at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes. This marks the third time Howard has won the award (2004-05, 2007-08 and 2008-09).

Each year at the Gala, the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF) honors a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives. An anonymous panel of external representatives selects the player. In addition to receiving the award, the player is granted $50,000 from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation to donate to the charity of his choice.

Howard has consistently volunteered his time off the court and to the Central Florida community supporting the initiatives of the Magic’s community relations department, the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation and the NBA. Highlights of his community involvement for the 2008-2009 season include:

· Donated $25,000 to the Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) to refurbish the locker room area in the Downtown Orlando Recreation Complex to develop the “PKZ teen shack” complete with a new photography lab, laptops and videogames.
· Assisted building a playground as part of the Magic’s annual KaBoom! playground build for the John H. Jackson Community Center for children in the Parramore area.
· Donated $25,000 to “Blessings in a Backpack” to provide children from Lake Como Elementary with a nutritious meal on the weekends.
· Visited children over the holidays at Florida Children’s Hospital.
· Provided the opportunity for 160 children each game a chance to see the Magic play through his ticket program, ‘Friends of Superman’.


· Provided 100/$100 Publix gift cards and 100 emergency preparedness kits to 100 Central Florida families in need at the Christian Service Center over the holidays.
· Met military families postgame as part of the Magic’s Seats for Soldiers Night on January 9.
· Donated gifts and met with families for the Magic holiday party with underprivileged children and their families.
· Participated in two internal autograph sessions, which helps support Central Florida non-profit organizations by raising money through silent auctions.


· While in Phoenix for All-Star weekend participated in a KaBoom! playground build as part of NBA Cares service projects.
· Helped raise money for the OMYF by participating in the OMYF Golf Tournament.

Past winners of the award include Nick Anderson (1995-1996), Penny Hardaway (1996-1997), Darrell Armstrong (1997-1998, 1999-2000), Grant Hill (2000-2001), Monty Williams (2001-2002), Tracy

McGrady (2002-2003), Pat Garrity (2003-2004) and Bo Outlaw (1998-1999, 2005-2006, 2006-2007).

The funds raised this year by the OMYF were distributed to the community through grants totaling $751,000. On February 11, checks to 26 out of the 27 grantee organizations from nine different counties (Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, Lake, Polk and Sumter) were presented at halftime of the Magic vs. Denver game. The beneficiaries were recommended by the OMYF “VIP” Committee and then approved by the McCormick Foundation’s Board of Directors after an extensive five-phase process which began in July of 2008.

The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, focuses on helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.

OMYF, founded in 1988, became a fund of the McCormick Foundation in 1994. OMYF is supported through a team effort by Magic players, coaches, staff and the DeVos Family, in partnership with season ticket holders, corporate partners, fans and the community and matching funds provided by the McCormick Foundation. Since inception, nearly $154 million has been granted through OMYF to local nonprofit organizations.