Magic in the Community
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Community Programs
Community News Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Enrichment Award Scholarship Program Donation Requests Ticket Program |
The Orlando Magic Community Relations Department builds meaningful relationships by investing our charitable resources to touch lives and create opportunities to produce positive change in our community. Our focus is to develop children through education and promote healthy lifestyles. Take a look at our community photo gallery (right) see how our players and staff create a “Magical” community.
The Orlando Magic continues to give back to the community through its various programs and activities. Touching lives and creating a lasting experience for a child makes every dollar spent and book donated a rewarding experience.
Last year alone, Orlando Magic community relations impacted nearly 75,000 youth through player appearances, community partnerships, donated items, mascot and talent appearances and service projects. More than 62,000 tickets reached the hands of youth and families whom might not otherwise see a NBA game.
In addition, the Orlando Magic is proud to create awareness by celebrating MLK Activities, Black History Month and Hispanic Awareness Month by partnering with the City of Orlando and Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties on various outreach efforts.
The following are brief capsules of each of the Magic's community programs, partnerships and fund-raising activities.
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BE HEALTHY LUNCH PROGRAM
The Orlando Magic have united with Florida Hospital and Wholesome Tummies to make sure a group of students in Central Florida receive a healthy lunch for the entire 2009-10 school year.
To educate kids on the importance of a healthy diet, these three organizations will offer a meal consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains each day to a group of students at one of the nearby schools.
Learn more about this extraordinary program and how your school can take part in this special promotion. Read Details.
DEVOS SPORT BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The DeVos Sport Business Management Program in the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida is the university’s first graduate program of its kind in the area of sport management. A partnership between UCF and the Orlando Magic, the program is funded by a $2.5 million gift provided by the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, which have been matched by the State of Florida, bringing the total endowment to $5 million. The program combines the living laboratory of a network of local, national and international sports organizations with the University of Central Florida’s proven commitment to excellence and accent on the individual.
RICH AND HELEN DEVOS COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AWARD
Magic owners Rich and Helen DeVos established this program to honor an Orlando Magic player who dedicates his efforts beyond the basketball court to enhance the lives of others. In selecting the player each year, the anonymous committee looks at several criteria including the three "A's": Action, Attitude and Atmosphere. Specifically, that means the player's actions off the court are honorable in nature, the player displays a respectable attitude toward those he comes in contact with, and the player shies away from situations that may be negatively perceived and provides a positive environment for others through his actions. Rich and Helen donate $50,000 to the charity of the honored player's choice.
Guard Nick Anderson was named the inaugural winner of the award on March 9, 1996. Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway received the ‘97 award for his outstanding community service. Darrell Armstrong, received the award in 1998 for his involvement with the youth at the Orlando Juvenile Detention Center and Southwest Boys & Girls Club. The award recipient for 1999 was Charles “Bo” Outlaw. Bo’s efforts beyond the basketball court enabled him to serve as a major force in such programs as Stay In School, The Water Safety Campaign, Easter Seals and TeamUp Volunteering. In 2000, Darrell Armstrong was the proud recipient of this award for the second time. He played an instrumental role in developing the hopes and lives of youth in the community by challenging them to follow their dreams. Grant Hill received the award in 2001 for his outstanding efforts with literacy, child abuse prevention, the arts and the Heart of Florida United Way and Monty Williams received the award in 2002 for his continual involvement with Frontline Outreach, a local at-risk neighborhood recreation center where he has positively influenced the Orlando youth by sponsoring a summer escape program for more than 100 children. Tracy McGrady received the award in 2003 for his work with Make A Wish Foundation, active involvement in his foundation to help kids at risk, and efforts of kindness and support to sniper victim Iran Brown. The 2004 winner, Pat Garrity has consistently volunteered his time off the court and to the Central Florida community each season. Pat’s commitment to improving literacy, his knowledge and understanding of the NBA and local CR program and his eloquent speaking abilities made him an ideal choice for this award.
THANKSGIVING OUTREACH
Each year, the Orlando Magic partners with the Coalition for the Homeless to serve a Thanksgiving meal to more than 1100 homeless families. The players, coaches and employees host a carnival with games, clowns and activities for the children after the breakfast. Students from Paul Mitchell the School volunteer to provide free hair cuts to the residents.
Carlos Arroyo has started his own tradition by hosting a Thanksgiving celebration in the Hispanic community. For the past two seasons, Carlos has donated over $6,000 towards the purchase of turkeys and accompaniments for low-income families.
AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS
The Orlando Magic players and coaches participate in two internal autograph sessions during the season. The autographed basketballs, photographs, jerseys, shoes, magazines and other items are donated to local public schools and non-profit organizations to help them raise funds through their silent and live auctions, raffles and other special events. Every year, on average, more than 1500 items are distributed with an estimated value of more than $80,000.
MAGIC ACHIEVER SCHOLARSHIP
Each year, one high school senior in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Polk, Lake, Volusia or Hillsborough County is awarded a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500 per year). The Magic Achiever Scholarship can be used at any accredited four-year college in Florida. Since 1996, the Orlando Magic has awarded 15 scholarships worth $61,500. For more information, please contact Robyn Guokas at 407-916-2409 or rguokas@orlandomagic.com.
UCF MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP
This four-year, $20,000 ($5,000 per year) scholarship is awarded to a minority high school senior residing in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Polk, Volusia or Hillsborough County. The recipient must be registered to attend the University of Central Florida during the fall of the upcoming school year. Since 1996, the Orlando Magic has awarded 17 scholarships worth $226,000. For more information, please contact Robyn Guokas at 407-916-2409 or rguokas@orlandomagic.com.
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners in Education is a collaboration of business, community and education organizations that enrich the educational experience of students. As a year-round effort between the Orlando Magic and its partner schools, the program is designed to impact the school as a whole— as well as each individual student. Each partnership is designed to specifically meet the needs of partner schools. Elements of the program include academic scholarships, job-shadowing opportunities, school visits by Magic staff and talent, tickets to games, and autographed memorabilia.
MAGIC VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (MVP)
Redesigned in July 2006, the Orlando Magic players, coaches, and staff have accumulated over countless volunteer hours under the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP). Magic employees showed their commitment by supporting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) charity events, building playgrounds, serving meals to needy families, building homes, mentoring elementary school students, renovating reading & learning centers and participating as board members for non-profit organizations. Through this program Orlando Magic employees have touched the lives of many Central Florida children and families and left long lasting memories for years to come.
TICKET PROGRAMS
The Magic players strive to be involved in the Central Florida community and are committed to making a difference in the lives of the youth. Several players invite groups of at-risk children to every home Magic game.
SHARE THE MAGIC PROGRAM
Season ticket holders can donate their unused game tickets to charitable youth organizations by going through the Magic Community Relations Department. By doing this, the season ticket holders can make a difference in the lives of many youth in the Central Florida area.
Ticket donations can be accepted up to four hours before game time and are tax-deductible. For more information, please call 407-916-2643 or 407-89-MAGIC.
JUNIOR MAGIC
Junior Magic is a youth basketball league for boys and girls organized in conjunction with existing youth recreation organizations in Brevard, Hillsborough, Indian River, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia and Pinellas Counties. Each Junior Magic player will receive an official Junior Magic jersey, poster and certificate, along with other educational items provided by the Jr. NBA and WNBA. Jr. Magic participants also receive a clinic at the TD Waterhouse hosted by Orlando Magic coaches and players.
Information about Junior Magic can be found at participating partners, the Magic offices, or by calling 407-916-2681. Junior Magic is presented by Gatorade.
KABOOM!
Designed by kids, built by volunteers! The Orlando Magic and KaBoom! will team up in 2008 to build a playground from the ground up in just one day. KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization based out of Washington, D.C., has dedicated their mission to provide a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. For more information, please visit www.orlandomagic.com/community and www.kaboom.org.
READ TO ACHIEVE
The Orlando Magic is taking Read to Achieve to the next level. To make a lasting impact in the community, the Orlando Magic will strive to refurbish a reading and learning center in an existing after school facility within Central Florida. To carry out these efforts, the Orlando Magic will purchase new computers, educational software and new furniture to create a high tech environment to enhance the education process for youth.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION
For more than eight years, the Orlando Magic have partnered with the City of Orlando Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The MLK Commission is comprised of local organizations whose role is to raise funds to help support events and activities that celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. The Orlando Magic has donated more than $20,000 in monetary and in-kind support each year.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
The Orlando Magic honor and celebrate Black History Month throughout the month of February. The celebration highlighted the African American Community Network, which is comprised of African American non-profit organizations such as the African American Chamber of Commerce as well as local artists and musicians. All are invited to each home game throughout the month to distribute literature about their organizations on the concourse.
HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION
The Orlando Magic honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month throughout the month of October. The Latin Affairs & Community Relations departments hosted a luxury suite reception for key Hispanic community leaders. Additionally, the Hispanic Community Network, which is comprised of Hispanic non-profit organizations such as Yo Si Puedo, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and local artist and musicians were invited to distribute literature about their organization on the concourse at each home game. Special halftime presentation honoring the recipients of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund was also part of the month-long celebration.
SEATS FOR SOLDIERS CELEBRATION
Since inception in 2006, the Orlando Magic continue to host Seats for Soldiers Night, a night devoted to honoring military men & women who continue to risk their lives in support of America. More than 3,000 tickets are donated by Orlando Magic season ticket holders, corporate partners, players, and staff for this night in order to host and honor the soldiers and their families from MacDill Air Force Base, Patrick Air Force Base, Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, and the Orlando Area Army National Guard for their efforts and loyalty to our country. The children participate in pre-game activities such as the High Five Line, Kids Tunnel, and the Ball Kid experience while soldiers are highlighted during pre-game, halftime, and post game on court recognition.
HOLIDAY OUTREACH
‘Tis the season of giving! The Orlando Magic players, coaches and staff participate in a number of holiday activities throughout the month of December such as: • Visiting local senior citizen centers • Visiting the children at Give Kids the World • Making surprise hospital visits to the children at Florida Hospital Orlando • Hosting a holiday party for low-income families • And more!
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
Partners in Education is a collaboration of business, community and education organizations that enrich the educational experience of students. As a year-round effort between the Orlando Magic and its partner schools, the program is designed to impact the school as a whole— as well as each individual student. Each partnership is designed to specifically meet the needs of partner schools. Elements of the program include, school visits by Magic staff and talent, tickets to games and autographed memorabilia.
NBA CARES
NBA Cares is the league's global community outreach initiative that addresses important social issues with an emphasis on programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes. The NBA, its teams and players implement and execute programs that impact and inspire children and families worldwide.
NBA Cares also reaches more than two million players, coaches, parents and officials from around the world participating from 1,600 recreational youth basketball leagues in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, stressing the fundamentals of the game and the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and leading an active, healthy and safe lifestyle.
Basketball without Borders, a basketball instructional camp for young people that promotes friendship, healthy living and education with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, features current and former NBA players and team personnel as camp coaches. Since the inaugural camp in 2001, BWB has been held in eight countries and territories on five continents and has featured more than 160 NBA players, coaches and team personnel from 30 different teams for the nearly 1,000 young athletes from more than 100 different countries and territories.
As the world’s greatest athletes, NBA players are dedicated to the community and committed to giving back in extraordinary ways. Through their foundations, camp efforts and philanthropic work, they make a difference for hundreds of non-profit and youth serving organizations.
The NBA also supports numerous causes and organizations that positively impact global communities. Make-A-Wish, UNICEF, KaBOOM!, Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Hands On Network, Special Olympics, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and the World Food Programme are just a few of the organizations with which the NBA has a partnership.
