March 24, 2012
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick were named co-winners of the 2011-2012 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award (CEA) Saturday night at the 22nd Annual OMYF Black Tie & Tennies Gala Presented by FAIRWINDS Credit Union held at the Amway Center. This marks the sixth time and fifth consecutive year Howard has won the award (2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12) and the first time Redick has won. The other finalist for the award included Chris Duhon. Each year at the Gala, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) honors a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives. A panel of external representatives selects the player. In addition to receiving the award, Redick and Howard will each be granted $50,000 (for a total of $100,000) from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation to donate to the charities of their 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 Foundation and the NBA. Highlights of his community involvement for the 2011-12 season include:
- Through his D12 Foundation, held his one year anniversary celebration with youth from the Parramore Kiz Zone.
- Hosted the “D12 Strikes” bowling tournament to benefit children in Central Florida.
- Participated in the player ticket program by purchasing over 2100 tickets for children at the Boys and Girls Club, Beta Center, Parramore Teens, and many more to attend Magic home games.
- As part of his 2011 CEA Award, donated $25,000 to the BETA Center to support the newly developed “Dwight Howard Learning Center” at BETA. The learning center is a newly designed program that incorporates innovative activities to empower teen moms to achieve academic and vocational success.
- Donated $25,000 of his 2011 CEA Award money to “Blessings in a Backpack” to provide children from Lake Como and Kaley Elementary with a nutritious meal on the weekends.
- Fulfilled wishes for youth before Magic home games by participating in meet and greets with terminally ill children.
- Active with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, serving as an ambassador to assist in their fundraising efforts.
- Participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program. The program focuses on education, grassroots basketball development and HIV/AIDS education and advocacy.
- Participated in internal autograph sessions, which helps support Central Florida non-profit organizations by raising money through silent auctions.
- During All-Star weekend 2012 in Orlando participated in NBA Cares service project at the downtown Coalition for the Homeless.
Redick has also been a consistent figure in the Central Florida community while supporting the initiatives of the Magic’s community relations department, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the NBA. Highlights of his community involvement for the 2011-12 season include:
- Hosted a holiday shopping spree for 75 youth from the Boys and Girls Club through his J.J. Redick Foundation, purchasing $100 gift cards for each child.
- Worked with the Department of Agriculture to record nutrition messages to be used in schools throughout the state.
- Participated in the Magic’s awareness campaign for the Summer Nutrition Program. Redick spoke to the youth about living a healthy lifestyle, eating right and the
- Summer Nutrition Program. He also held a mini-basketball camp for the kids at the event.
- Active in making terminally ill children’s wishes come true by participating in meet and greets before and/or after games.
- Participated in internal autograph sessions, which helps support Central Florida non-profit organizations by raising money through silent auctions.
- Participated in the player ticket program by purchasing over 230 tickets for children at Easter Seals to attend Magic home games.
- Participated in the Slam Dunk for Literacy project.
- Committed to providing four $15K scholarships for four years to Boys and Girls Club members.
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).
Earlier this year, the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund (OMYF-MFF), presented checks totaling $1 million to 19 grantee organizations for the second consecutive year. The presentation was done in the spirit of the NBA Draft as each non-profit organization was announced and came up on stage to be presented with an OMYF jersey or specialty basketball. The organizations were also recognized at halftime of the January 18 Magic vs. Spurs matchup.
From educational and arts programs to health programs focused on preventing childhood obesity, the OMYF is dedicated to nourishing the minds and bodies of children that need it most.
About the OMYF
Over the last 22 years, nearly $17 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund (OMYF-MFF) since 1994. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation raises community dollars annually through donations, auctions and events such as the Black Tie and Tennies Gala and the OMYF Golf Tournament with matching funds at .50 on the dollar provided by the McCormick Foundation. In 2012, in addition to presenting checks totaling $1 million to 19 non-profit organizations the OMYF will also award scholarships totaling $30,000. To learn more, visit omyf.org.