By Josh CohenOct. 26, 2015
ORLANDO – All the patience, hard work and devotion to her family helped Mildred Rodriguez stay confident and faithful in life. That mindset and focus is what allowed Rodriguez to be part of an amazing surprise on Monday, Oct. 26.
The Orlando Magic and Habitat for Humanity partnered up and handed the keys to a brand new home over to Rodriguez. No longer stuck with inadequate air conditioning or roof issues, Rodriguez now has a safe place for her family to live and her children to play outdoors.
“From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate them so much (the Magic and Habitat for Humanity),” said Rodriguez, who worked more than 300 hours of sweat equity towards the home. “I am very grateful. It’s beyond words.”
This marks the seventh home the Magic and Habitat for Humanity have united to build for a deserving family. Back in June, the Magic and Jewett Orthopaedic staff members teamed up through the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP) to help build the home for the Rodriguez family. The MVP encourages Magic staff members to get out and get involved in the community. Since program inception in 2006, Magic staff, coaches and players have amassed more than 43,000 hours in the Central Florida community. Last year, Magic volunteers through the MVP constructed a home for the Duppins family.
Also on hand at Monday's ceremony were Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, Magic Dancers and STUFF. They delivered gifts to the family, including a basketball hoop they set up on the driveway. Anderson and Outlaw shot hoops with Rodriguez’s three children and other family and friends in attendance.
Rodriguez’s family was also given courtside tickets to the Magic’s game against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 23.
The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to bring together families in need and volunteers of all faiths, in partnership with community resources to enhance lives by building homes, strengthening neighborhoods and improving our community. Habitat is a not-for-profit, Christian organization dedicated to transforming the lives of low-income, hard-working families through the American dream of homeownership.
“There are more than 200,000 individuals in Orange County living in poverty housing and it is our goal to make sure that all of them have the opportunity to have an affordable home,” said Habitat Greater Orlando President and CEO Catherine McManus. “Thanks to the Orlando Magic, one more family has that opportunity today.”