WHAT: Dwight Howard is teaming up with Operation Blessing International and Bread of Life Fellowship Inc., to distribute 100 emergency preparedness kits and 100/$100 gift cards to Publix to 100 Central Florida families in need. The Christian Service Center for Central Florida has helped designate the recipients of the kits and gift cards. Howard will meet and greet each family, sign autographs and take photos.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Christian Service Center for Central Florida, 300 West Franklin St., Ocoee, 34761

Christian Service Center

The Christian Service Center is a private, non-profit social service agency that, since 1971, has provided the hurting of our community with programs designed to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The Center is supported by area churches, businesses, civic organizations, foundations and individuals. Services are offered without regard to sex, race, religion or national origin. The following programs operate from within the Christian Service Center:

The Family & Emergency Services program provides emergency pantry food, clothing and limited rent/mortgage/utility assistance to those in need. The program served more than 9,700 people last year from three offices: downtown Orlando (Parramore District), West Orange County (Ocoee), and Winter Park (Winter Park, Maitland, Eatonville).

The Daily Bread program serves free noon-time meals to those in need six days per week in downtown Orlando and Ocoee. Since it's founding, Daily Bread has served more than 3 million meals. Almost 125,000 meals were served last year alone.

KidsFOCUS provides after-school care and tutoring to at-risk and disadvantaged children in West Orange. The program also provides classes, resources, and support for the families of the students.

Fresh Start is a residential program for sober and drug free men trying to get their lives back together.

Operation Home Fires provides support to the families of deployed military, particularly those from reserve units.

About The Orlando Magic

Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won three division championships (1995, 1996, 2008), had four 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 4,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $14 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via The Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF) that serve at risk and disadvantaged youth. Ticket highlights for 2008-09 include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

Through the National Basketball Association’s NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the new downtown Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in October 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.