CommunityNews

Josh Cohen

ORLANDO - What we’ve learned about Wendell Carter Jr. ever since he arrived in Orlando over two years ago is that his hard-working nature extends into the offseason, which explains why he’s made great progress each year with the Magic.&nbsp;

The same can be said about his involvement in the community.&nbsp;

It’s been almost two months since the Magic’s season ended, and yet the 6-foot-10 center is still doing all that he can to help people.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, May 30, Carter participated in a live streaming Mario Kart Relay Race video game event organized by AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida to raise money for cancer research.&nbsp;

Joining him were Orlando Solar Bears defenseman Jimmy Mazza, singer Cesar De La Rosa, local content creator and gamer Sceptic, several Magic Gaming players, AdventHealth doctors, and youth cancer patients.&nbsp;

“I’ve never been to an event like this,” he said. “It was a lot of fun being able to play a game like Mario Kart, which a lot of people if not everybody knows, just to raise awareness for a good cause. I don’t think it gets any better than that.”

The event, which aired live across multiple social media platforms, featured four teams competing to win the relay race and the fundraising goal. “Team Luigi,” with Mazza as their captain, came in first place. All funds raised support cancer research efforts in reducing relapses and potentially bringing cures through clinical trials and translational research.

“Having Magic Gaming, the Orlando Magic, and Orlando Solar Bears come together to support our patients and families for cancer research is really why this event happened,” AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida Marketing Manager Meredith Hall said. “It’s so impactful how our community is rallying around this cause to really put in an effort to make sure cancer is no more or there is better, unique ways to detect cancer. Just to have the support of our community, to make sure our patients are cared for in the right way close to home is really what this event is all about.”

As original Champion of the Community partners, AdventHealth Central Florida has been working with the Magic on community projects that impact and benefit Central Florida. Magic Champion of the Community partners represent organizations that are committed to improving the lives of all Central Floridians. Since the Magic and AdventHealth partnership began back in 1989, they continue to grow their approach in community programming, unparalleled branding and category exclusivity in the area of healthcare while expanding their commitment to the local community.

This past March, Carter was named the 2022-23 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award winner for his tremendous impact off the court. Philanthropy has always been a staple of who he is as a person.&nbsp;

“Any opportunity I can to give back to a community, I am going to always take it,” he said. “A situation like this or an event like this, I’m just glad to be a part of it. This is a very small part of what I want to do for this Orlando community.”

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Wendell Carter Jr. Participates in AdventHealth’s Mario Kart Relay Race

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Wendell Carter Jr. Participates in AdventHealth’s Mario Kart Relay Race to Raise Money for Cancer Research

ORLANDO&nbsp;– During his first stint with the Orlando Magic, spanning from March 2019 to February 2022, Michael Carter-Williams spent a good portion of his off-the-court time out and about in the Central Florida community.&nbsp;

He participated in numerous charity events and was one of the NBA’s most visible players when it came to spreading the word about social justice.

Not even two months have passed since re-signing with the Magic and already he has sprung right back into action.

On Thursday, April 20, at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek right near the Walt Disney World attractions, the 31-year-old joined PepsiCo Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida to combat local youth food insecurity.

The volunteers, mostly from PepsiCo&nbsp;Beverages North America&nbsp;South Division, packed more than 4,000 ‘Food for Good’ meals into weekend ‘backpack kits’ that will be distributed across the greater Orlando area. Each ‘backpack meal’ is a weekend meal kit with&nbsp;two&nbsp;breakfasts and&nbsp;two&nbsp;lunches, including shelf-stable milk, juice, fruit, entrees, and cereal to ensure youth facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals, no matter the day of the week.

“It’s essential for people from big corporations to come together and figure out different ways to help kids,” Carter-Williams said. “As a father, I try to provide for my kids each and every day. Sometimes we have to think outside the box for people that aren’t as fortunate as us and really come together as a community and try to help.

It's great to be here to represent the Orlando Magic. I know my team, my coaches, and our whole organization feels the same way as myself and wanting to help communities and wanting to make sure we are doing the necessary things so kids have food. It’s very important. I’m glad to be here to show my face and show that we as an organization care and are doing our best to play our part as well.”

In the U.S., around 22 million children receive free or discounted lunch at school and as many as&nbsp;nine&nbsp;million children live in “food insecure” homes.

Those figures in mind, PepsiCo and the Magic – partners dating back to the team’s inaugural season 34 years ago – are on a mission to tackle this issue together.

What helps, without question based on PepsiCo&nbsp;Beverages North America, South Division&nbsp;President Heather Hoytink’s perspective, are when big organizations share the same vision and goals for the community.

“When you can come together with multiple partners, it elevates the impact that you can have,” she said. “The scale, the awareness, the visibility – it just allows you to amplify your impact in the community.”

Grateful for everything PepsiCo and the Magic do in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida CEO Glen Marie Hamilton believes an event like Thursday’s sends a very powerful message to kids about the importance of giving back.

It's especially impactful when they find out an NBA player – someone they may admire and cheer on from afar – are among those making such a big difference in the community. &nbsp;

“(It shows) that you can never be too big to give back,” Hamilton said. “They might see a basketball player (and) see someone that’s working hard training, but they don’t see (all that) they are doing in the community. This is the perfect opportunity for kids to see that, so they can say wow, this person really cares about me.”

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Michael Carter-Williams Teams Up With PepsiCo and Big Brothers Big Sisters to Combat Food Insecurity Among Local Youth

SANFORD, Fla.&nbsp;– One of the many great things about the game of basketball is that you can play it indoors or outdoors. No matter where you live or where you may be visiting, there’s likely a court very close by.

And let’s be honest, the quality of the court makes a massive difference on the experience. The surface, the baskets, the nets, the upkeep, the surroundings, and the aesthetics all matter.&nbsp;

If you live in Seminole County, or happen to be in the area, and are looking for a nice place to hoop, look no further than Sanford’s Lee P. Moore Park, which now has everything you’d want in an outdoor basketball court after the Orlando Magic and AdventHealth teamed up to spruce it up. 

This court refurbishment is all part of the Magic and AdventHealth’s plan to revamp 20 different basketball courts around Central Florida. Lee P. Moore’s court is now the fourth one completed, with the others being at Wicklow Elementary School, the Callahan Center, and the James R. Smith Neighborhood Center. 

“Our court refurbishment program with AdventHealth is just one way that we try to show up to the Central Florida community to make this place a great place to live, work and play,” said Shelly Wilkes, Magic senior vice president of marketing and social responsibility. “Refurbishing basketball courts gives the opportunity for more kids to be exposed to basketball and to have the opportunities to play with their families. And we just want to be a part of their growing and their developing in their play of basketball, and hopefully make them fans of the Magic for life.”

Really cool about the new court at Lee P. Moore is that the design was inspired by the Magic’s Statement Court that the team plays select games on at the Amway Center.&nbsp;

There are now 70 kids from Sanford’s after-school program that can describe its look and feel. During the unveiling of the court on Wednesday, April 5, they received basketball instruction from Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw and coaches from The National Basketball Academy during a mini hoops clinic. The Magic also provided lunch to the children and gave each of them a team-branded basketball.&nbsp;

“I’ve always been a huge fan of the Magic because of their community partnerships, and AdventHealth (as well),” said Patrick Austin, Sanford City Commissioner, District 3. “I’ve seen a lot of (the Magic and AdventHealth’s) projects around Central Florida, and they’ve helped a lot of different neighborhoods – from all walks of life. I think that’s huge. Hopefully, that makes people appreciate the Magic. Even if they don’t root for basketball or watch basketball, they say hey, those guys are helping make our city, our county, our neighborhoods better – and that’s what it’s supposed to be about, helping each other (and) being good neighbors.”

As original Champion of the Community partners, AdventHealth has been working with the Magic on community projects that impact and benefit Central Florida. 

Magic Champion of the Community partners represent organizations that are committed to improving the lives of all Central Floridians. Since the Magic and AdventHealth partnership began back in 1989, they continue to grow their approach in community programming, unparalleled branding and category exclusivity in the area of healthcare while expanding their commitment to the local community.   

In addition to their work in the community, they shared in the vision for the AdventHealth Training Center, which opened last summer. Together, AdventHealth and the Magic have built an innovative health and wellness model that brings world-class medicine, science and research together to optimize sports performance, and then bring those learnings to the local community.

“Both organizations have been truly blessed to be in the positions that they are in,” said Jeff Villanueva, CEO for AdventHealth Altamonte Springs and the Seminole Market. “It’s about giving back. I think both organizations take that to heart – not just in words, but in actions. It is examples like this (court refurbishments) that tell the community and assure the community that our organizations are here to make our communities a better place for all of us to live – not only today, but into the future.”

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Orlando Magic and AdventHealth Unveil Refurbished Basketball Court in Sanford

ORLANDO - As they continue to make major strides on the court, the Orlando Magic are also doing everything in their power to improve conditions off the hardwood as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That is, in fact, the theme of their mission statement, which is ‘to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way.’&nbsp;

On Tuesday, April 4, the team’s charitable arm, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF), distributed grants totaling $1 million to 24 nonprofit organizations across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties during a surprise ceremony at the Disney Atrium at Amway Center (see bottom for full list of organizations, how much they each received, and in what ways they impact the community).&nbsp;

Magic Chairman Dan DeVos is incredibly appreciative of the work these organizations and many others in the area do daily to help children reach their full potential. It’s just a symbol of the Magic’s gratitude to be able to give back and make a difference.

“It makes us feel very, very proud and very humbled, too, by the ability that we have as an organization to give back in ways that are making a difference – and we are seeing it, we are feeling it, and we are hearing about it,” he said.

This was the 15th&nbsp;time at least $1 million has been distributed by the OMYF since inception. Over the last 33 years, the OMYF has donated more than $28 million to community organizations.&nbsp;

“The years fly by, but a lot has happened during those times, but we worked with a lot of great people making a lot of great things happen,” DeVos said. “When you look back at that, that’s pretty good, but that’s because of the support of people in the community.”

Among the organizations assisted this year by the OMYF was the Children’s Home Society of Florida, which intends to use the $50,000 they received to enhance their Full Court Press to College and Career Readiness program.

Even though it wasn’t the first time the Magic donated money to her organization, it never ceases to amaze Children’s Home Society of Florida Regional Executive Director Sherri Gonzales just how compassionate the Magic are and how dedicated they are to building a stronger community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It absolutely is (amazing),” she said. “Just sitting here today and just seeing each of those organizations receive the funding (with) so many wonderful things happening in the community, and that the Magic Youth Foundation supports that and supports these organizations to help children and families make progress in Florida – it’s so inspiring every single year. It just gets better and better.”

Less than two weeks ago, the Magic held their annual Orlando Wine Festival and Auction at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes to raise money for the OMYF. The weekend of events featured exclusive vintner dinners, an outdoor festival featuring live music, live auction displays, an e-auction, local and celebrity chefs, wineries, and food pavilions. Among the attendees were the Magic’s players and coaches. Each guest also received an invitation to Tuesday’s OMYF grant ceremony, where all funds from the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, along with other fundraising opportunities, were distributed to these local nonprofit organizations.&nbsp;

Each year, the Magic give more than $2 million to Central Florida by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, and grants. At the heart of the Magic’s charitable efforts is the work done by the OMYF, which is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts and health programs focused on preventing childhood obesity. The OMYF raises community dollars annually through donations, auctions, and events such as the OMYF Open Golf Tournament and the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction.

“This is our home, and this is our community,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We all live here. We all work here. We have been incredibly blessed to have dozens of employees that have been with this organization for over 25 years. This is truly their home. We care about it. It goes beyond just raising funds and distributing them. Our staff on an annual basis contributes tens of thousands of volunteer hours throughout Central Florida trying to make it a better place to live, work, and play. This is our home and it’s incredibly important to us.”

In addition to the OMYF’s fundraising efforts, the DeVos Family Foundation is donating a total of $3 million to 30 area nonprofit organizations as part of the DeVos family’s 30 Grants for 30 Years initiative, which aims to invest in people and projects impacting youth, essential needs for families, and community enrichment across Central Florida. The DeVos family also assisted the OMYF with fundraising efforts in 2021, providing $700,000 to the foundation to make up for the shortfall due to the pandemic and the OMYF not being able to hold its usual fundraising events. Through that donation, the OMYF was once again able to reach the $1 million milestone in 2021 to help at-risk youth and families in Central Florida.&nbsp;&nbsp;

2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS (with grant amounts):

AdventHealth for Children Healthy Weight and Wellness&nbsp;The program serves 80 new low-income children and teens that are overweight, obese or suffer from severe obesity using a comprehensive education and treatment program. The program will provide life adjusting guidance such as how to shop for healthy foods, fitness regiments, meal prep, group therapy, and financial assistance.

Full Court Press to College and Career Readiness&nbsp;The program prepares students for life after high school and set them up for success. It will enhance and expand current CPS-based initiatives: College/Career Expo, Next Step Workshops, Trade Certifications, FAFSA Frenzy. The program will add the Writer’s Room to support students in their pursuit of post-secondary education and training.

Education Foundation Osceola County&nbsp;

Bookmark Buddies Mentoring Program&nbsp;The program is designed to improve the literacy skills of Osceola County's at-risk third grade students that are at risk of being retained in the third grade and are reading at a second-grade level. Funds support a portion of the salaries for the program, which includes a program coordinator and program director. The grant will also support the printing cost of materials along with incentive books the students receive.&nbsp;

Empowering Independence for Foster Youth&nbsp;The program assists foster youth who are aging out of the system to build a life of independence while avoiding the negative outcomes of homelessness, incarceration, teenage pregnancy, high school dropout, and unemployment. The program ensures that the foster youth stay on track to reach their education and employment goals.

Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc.&nbsp;

Read2Succeed&nbsp;offers tutoring in early literacy skills, vocabulary, and fluency for kindergarten, first- and second grade students performing below grade level in reading. Grant funds will allow the Foundation to help elementary-aged children build critical literacy skills, enabling students to learn to read on grade level by third grade and eventually read to learn.

Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools&nbsp;

Take Stock in Children’s&nbsp;core focus is to provide low-income students with a structured mentorship opportunity that supports their healthy growth through life and school. Upon graduating from high school and the program, the students are awarded a 2-year college scholarship. The funds will be used to support entry into a 2-year college for program participants, staff salaries, and supplies including background checks for mentors and college readiness workshop materials.

Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida&nbsp;

Minority Male Summer Bridge Program&nbsp;Through the program, 50 black and brown male students receive comprehensive advising and financial aid assistance along with social programming, scholarship support, and educational opportunities to enhance their college experience. Through added activities, 80% will continue into enrollment into the fall semester.

Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc.&nbsp;

Camp HOPE, Pathways, and Trailblazers&nbsp;Harbor House offers unique camp experiences for children who have witnessed or experienced violence. The goal of the program is to increase each child’s ability to believe in themselves and envision a future without violence and abuse and to motivate children to treat others with kindness, respect, and love. Funding will support program expenses for Camp HOPE, Pathways, and Trailblazers. Expenses include Camp HOPE counselors, nurses, food, transportation, training and technical assistance, and program supplies.

KYDS Healthy Habits&nbsp;The program assists at-risk youth who are facing increased chances of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, all due to a preventable condition. Helping children maintain a healthy weight can reduce rates of disease, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs. Funds will be used to expand their reach from 80 to 100 youth in Orange County.

Homelessness Prevention, Diversion, and Outreach&nbsp;Hope Partnership provides a holistic continuum of care for individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness in Central Florida. This request will fund critical aspects including the light touch financial assistance many households need to avoid homelessness, rental assistance, security deposits, travel tickets to reunite with family, car repairs, or utility assistance.

Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families

Teen Xpress&nbsp;The goal for Teen Xpress’s “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” initiative is to reduce obesity among the program’s target population of underserved, low-income, teens who are predominantly Black and Hispanic. This funding will support physicals for 500 teens, 200 of which will receive intensive nutrition counseling services provided by the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” initiative. An additional 100 teens will participate in workshops providing information on sports nutrition and health education.

Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Inc.&nbsp;

Education for Every Dimension of Life&nbsp;Three-Dimensional Education (3DE) by Junior Achievement is a comprehensive instructional model that authentically connects high school education to the real-world. Business partners serve as coaches and mentors as 3DE students implement analytical thinking and problem-solving skills through real-world integration. This funding provides a school-based site team lead who provides dedicated support for 3DE students and teachers; Professional development sessions for 3DE teachers (over twenty per school); Educators who work with companies to create case studies which are educationally valid and based on Harvard Case Methodology.&nbsp;

Youth Service for Children and Teens Who Are Visually Impaired or Blind&nbsp;Lighthouse Central Florida (LCF) empowers the lives of thousands of children and adults living with vision loss and blindness to lead productive, independent lives while pursuing their dreams and goals without limitations. Support one-on-one and group vision rehabilitation services focusing on early learning and college and career readiness for up to 45 infants, children, and teens who are vision-impaired or blind.

The Mental Health Association of Central Florida&nbsp;

You Are A Lifeguard&nbsp;Provide Linking Education and Awareness for Depression and Suicide (LEADS) for Youth, an evidence-based suicide prevention curriculum and training to high schools within the Tri-County area. A survey/evaluation system to obtain student feedback from the LEADs participants before and after program participation. These will measure the prior knowledge base of suicide awareness and risk factors and post training the curriculum contents, and its impact on the students pertaining to developing increased suicide awareness and protective prevention strategies.

Relevé in Search of Excellence (RISE)&nbsp;RISE is a professional arts initiative designed to introduce the performing arts in an accessible and enlightening way. Grant funds will support 5 high school residencies and the RISE Symposium. Funds will support Orlando Ballet Teaching Artists’ salaries and benefits, production and technical support for the performance showcase, marketing, travel expenses for up to 10 RISE Symposium panelists, and a portion of Community Enrichment staff.&nbsp;

Side-By-Side Music Mentorship Program&nbsp;The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO) Side-by-Side Music Mentorship program offers opportunities for students to receive instruction in school from OPO musicians through group lessons that build mentor/role model relationships. The majority of grant funding will be used for the expansion of the program to Jones High School and the musician payments needed for this expansion.

Ignite Discovery&nbsp;Orlando Science Center (OSC) is guided by a mission to inspire science learning by reinforcing classroom curriculum and provides real world learning opportunities, making science relevant and engaging for all. Funding will provide programming to additional early learning programs and Head Start centers.

Enhancing Academic Performance to Underserved&nbsp;Present the production “Magic Tree House: The Jackie Robinson Story” to Title I OCPS students with the return of the Children’s Series after a two-year hiatus.

10,000 students would benefit from the play and supplementary arts education programming.

Osceola County Council on Aging, Inc.&nbsp;

Building Strong Families Program: Eviction Prevention&nbsp;Assist 80 families with children (approximately 250 family members) that are at risk for homelessness over the course of one program year with rent and utility payments that will help them maintain safe, permanent housing. The program helps eligible families transition from economic crisis to stability and self-sufficiency by preventing homelessness and student transiency.

Language Arts & Empowerment Programs&nbsp;Enable at-risk youth to discover the tools to build emotional resilience, advance critical literacy skills, and build empathy and connect with community. Assist 649 youth through a variety of events such as innovative literacy workshops and after-school enrichment programs, as well as opportunities for student publishing and community collaborations.

Steinway Society of Central Florida&nbsp;

Piano Lesson Outreach Program&nbsp;Provides a series of free sequential group piano lessons for beginning students, at 15 elementary schools and community centers in low-income areas throughout Orange and Seminole counties. Funds will be used to partially underwrite teacher fees to conduct the lessons, help provide keyboards for the student practice and lessons, for educational materials, such as sheet music, books, and study guides; and for expenses related to the evaluation of the program.

United Against Poverty Orlando (UP Orlando)&nbsp;

Family Stabilization: Pathways Out of Poverty&nbsp;Funding to support and stabilize low-income families who are struggling financially and help them reach economic self-sufficiency, as a deterrence to homelessness. Utilize resources for crisis counseling, food assistance, workforce development training, to divert from potential homelessness.&nbsp;

Intensive Reading Enrichment for Academic&nbsp;UCF iREAD has developed an intensive intervention program to remediate reading, spelling, and writing deficits, for increased learning, improved academic performance, and optimized potential for life-long success for children of low socioeconomic backgrounds (Parramore and Holden neighborhoods). Funding would allow the program to expand from 26 to 67: adding up to 25 children in summer 2023 and an additional 16 children in the fall and spring (2024) intensive programs.

Links 2 Learning (L2L)&nbsp;is an existing out-of-school program that focuses on increasing high school graduation rates, successful entry and completion at post-secondary educational and life-skill development for students of color in underserved and underrepresented communities. Funds usage include: Equipment/supplies, general office and program supplies c. Family and special event nights; Transportation expenses related to industry tours; Portion of FT and PT staff costs; Technology expenses related to on-site program delivery; Volunteer and staff training rooted in youth development best practices, program structure, curriculum and accountability; Organizational administrative support.

GRAND TOTAL:&nbsp;$1,000,000 to Central Florida

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OMYF Grant Reception

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Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Distributes $1 Million to 24 Central Florida Organizations

Announcement made during Saturday’s Orlando Wine Festival and Auction

ORLANDO - Back in September 2021, at Orlando Magic Media Day for the 2021-22 season, Wendell Carter Jr. was asked about how he’s able to motivate his teammates through his words and actions.

“Probably the first thing I do is lead by example,” he had said. “We are all humans. Sometimes my teammates will get down, including myself, and we just (need) to hold each other accountable and be there for one another. When I can sense one of my teammates being down or getting down on themselves or deferring a shot because they missed their last two shots, whenever there’s a break, I like to go up to them and be like: ‘man, take your next shot, take it like you know you are going to be make it.’”

As we’ve learned about Carter over the last couple years, he lives what he preaches, walking the walk rather than just talking the talk. The positive energy he brings, along with all the leadership qualities he possesses, has lifted his teammates time and time again. It’s one of the many reasons why the Magic have made so much progress this season.

Best of all is that he has the same approach in all aspects of his life. Ever since arriving in Orlando following that March 2021 blockbuster trade from Chicago, Carter has made a big impact on the Central Florida community through his philanthropic actions and engagement. He has consistently volunteered his time in the community to support the Magic’s mission of ‘being World Champions on and off court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way.’

On Saturday, March 25, during the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, which benefits the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF), the 23-year-old was recognized for his acts of kindness and generosity by being named the 2022-23 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award (CEA) winner.&nbsp;

“It feels amazing,” said Carter, the 19th&nbsp;Magic player to ever earn this honor.&nbsp;“It’s very special just as a team trying to serve and give back to the community…I’m excited and looking forward to doing it again next year.”&nbsp;

Among Carter’s community involvement this season were hosting and sponsoring a Thanksgiving turkey dinner distribution event with the Magic for 350 underserved families; hosting a holiday party for 65 local youth from the Boys to Men Mentoring organization; adopting students in the STEM program at Oakridge High School to continue to encourage and motivate them; and holding a TopGolf fundraiser to raise money for his family’s A Platform2&nbsp;Foundation.

By winning the CEA award, Carter will be granted $20,000 from the DeVos Family Foundation and an additional $5,000 from the Magic to donate to a charity of his choice.

Philanthropy has always been a staple of Carter’s upbringing. His mother, Kylia Carter, taught him at a young age about the importance of giving back.&nbsp;

“I give a lot of credit to my mom,” he said. “Coming up, she was the one who told me no matter how successful I get, make sure you always give back to the community that raised you. I just try to do the best job I can making kids feel wanted, feel special – so they can just continue to do great things.”

The third-ever Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, which is the Magic’s signature fundraiser, featured live music, live auction displays, local and celebrity chefs, wineries, and food pavilions. All the Magic’s coaches and players attended. Each guest will also receive an invitation to the OMYF grant ceremony, where all funds from the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations.

Led by the DeVos family’s unrelenting devotion to helping others reach their full potential, the Magic play a huge part in the strengthening of the Central Florida community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We grew up with it,” Magic Chairman Dan DeVos said of his family’s community engagement and outreach. “It’s something my parents have always done. They always taught us that everybody has something to give – time, talent, treasure, whatever it may be. That’s just part of what we do. It’s sort of our DNA. Wherever you are, throughout the country and throughout the world of course, there are people that need things – and it’s our responsibility to help.”

As Magic CEO Alex Martins has seen firsthand over the years, the participation from the coaches and players helps create much-needed community awareness.&nbsp;

“It shows their devotion, number one. And number two, they want to do it,” Martins said. “We have such a great group of high-character individuals that we’ve hired as coaches and that we’ve drafted as players, and it’s part of their DNA as well. It’s important to them also. What it does for an event like this is it amps it up. People want to associate with them. People want to be able to be sitting at tables with them or rubbing elbows with them. And, by the way, the players have a great time as well.”

The Magic and the DeVos family are committed to making a difference in Central Florida. Each year, the Magic give more than $2 million to Central Florida by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. At the heart of the Magic’s charitable efforts is the work done by the OMYF.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The OMYF is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at-risk, by supporting nonprofit organizations offering youth-based programs in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, the arts and health programs focused on preventing childhood obesity.&nbsp;

Over the last 32 years, more than $27 million has been distributed to local nonprofit community organizations through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. The OMYF raises community dollars annually through donations, auctions and events such as the OMYF Open Golf Tournament and its signature fundraiser, the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In early April, the OMYF will present checks totaling $1 million to local nonprofit organizations, marking the 15th time the OMYF has distributed $1 million to the Central Florida community since OMYF's inception in 1990.

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Orlando Wine Festival and Auction

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Wendell Carter Jr. Earns 2022-23 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award

ORLANDO - Normally, it’s the fans who are the ones cheering on their favorite sports teams and players. But sometimes, it’s the reverse.&nbsp;

NBA players, specifically, will often say they love to get out in the community and cheer on their greatest supporters.&nbsp;

The Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner and Gary Harris certainly feel that way, which was apparent Tuesday, Jan. 24 when they both visited AdventHealth for Children to lift the spirits of pediatric patients. Joining them were Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw and STUFF the Magic Mascot.&nbsp;

“It’s very special,” Wagner said. “It’s our responsibility I think. I think it’s important for the Orlando Magic to do this kind of thing. It’s inspiring for us to see how hard they are fighting. We are just here for them to smile a little bit and take (what they are dealing with) off their minds.”

Interacting with kids is one of Wagner and Harris’ favorite parts of playing in the NBA. Not only do they appreciate all the positive vibes, but those interactions give them an opportunity to share advice and encouragement to those who might need a boost.&nbsp;

When they were growing up – Wagner in Berlin, Germany and Harris in Fishers, Indiana – they looked up to NBA players and were inspired watching them from afar.&nbsp;

Now, with Harris in his ninth NBA season and third with the Magic and Wagner in his second year in Orlando, they are proud to be positive role models for youth in Central Florida.

“I think it’s great. It’s fun,” Harris said. “I remember when I was a kid and I had the role models I looked up to. Just trying to continue to be a great example, put a smile on their face, and have fun. Let them know you might have struggles. You might go through things, but everything is going to be okay in the end. Just to keep fighting, keep pushing, and have a smile on your face.”&nbsp;

Many Magic players over the years have come by the hospital to play games with the kids, bring them gifts, and boost their spirits – just as Harris and Wagner did Tuesday. AdventHealth for Children staff have seen what that can do for patients when it comes to their physical and mental health.&nbsp;

“The power of healing – of course we know how to provide great clinical care for all the children that we take care of – whether it’s medical treatment, surgical treatment, whatever it may be,”&nbsp;AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women Senior Executive Officer Dr. Rajan Wadhawan said.&nbsp;“But having opportunities like this where kids can come out and be kids for a while and forget the reality of being in a hospital and what they are dealing with – that goes a long way in their recovery and getting them back on the healing path.”&nbsp;

AdventHealth Foundation recently received a $150,000 donation from the DeVos Family Foundation as part of its 30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative that will go towards assisting AdventHealth for Children’s Center for Advancement and Support of Youth (CASY) program, which helps kids and young adults manage their mental health under the hospital’s supervision and patient-centered approach.&nbsp;

AdventHealth for Children is a nationally recognized, destination children’s hospital and network of pediatric specialists, programs and care facilities that sets the standard for innovation, quality and comprehensive care. The flagship facility in Orlando is the Walt Disney Pavilion, which was designed by Walt Disney Imagineers and features Disney best-practices, theming, characters and activities to make a stay in the hospital more comfortable and less stressful for young patients and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The AdventHealth for Children network includes pediatricians, more than 140 pediatric specialists practicing 35 subspecialties, specialty clinics, pediatric rehabilitation, emergency departments and Centra Care Kids urgent care.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Franz Wagner, Gary Harris Lift Spirits of Young Patients at AdventHealth for Children

ORLANDO - “Have a holly jolly Christmas. It’s the best time of the year. Now I don’t know if there’ll be snow. But have a cup of cheer.” – Johnny Marks

For Orlando resident Tanisha and her family, that verse from the 1962 holiday song,&nbsp;A Holly Jolly Christmas, pairs perfectly with their recent life breakthroughs.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, with assistance from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County, Tanisha and her four children moved out of their crowded apartment complex and into a brand-new Central Florida home.

The change of environment will do wonders for their health and spirit. Tanisha is excited about her growth potential in her career, while the children now have safe conditions to play outside and focus on their education.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Ever since I’ve been staying on my own, I’ve been staying in an apartment,” she said. Now that I have my own home, it definitely means making memories, building family wealth, and encouraging them that they (her kids) can also do the same and that the journey definitely doesn’t stop here.”

The good times kept on rolling on Friday, Dec. 23 while attending the Orlando Magic’s game at Amway Center against the San Antonio Spurs. At halftime, they learned that they were this year’s Magic Big Give recipients.

At center court, the family were showered with holiday gifts and other items from the Magic and many of their corporate partners.

Among the gifts they received were a flat screen TV, air fryer, a driveway basketball hoop, home accessories, $5,000 of home furnishings provided by AdventHealth, a gaming machine from Arcade1Up, six Disney Park Hopper Passes courtesy of Disney, $500 from Kroger, one year supply of Papa John’s pizza, a $100 gift card from PDQ, and a gift basket from Magic Gaming.

“I was trying to hold all my tears back,” Tanisha said. “I am definitely so thankful, and again, it definitely has blessed my family. I couldn’t be more excited. I couldn’t be happier and be more thankful.”

The family rode in a limo to and from the Amway Center, and they cheered on the Magic from their Ultimate seats after enjoying dinner in the Fields Ultimate Lounge.&nbsp;

It was the second straight day the Magic surprised them. On Thursday, they were one of 25 underserved families that the Magic delivered $100 Kroger gift cards to.

“It means that there are still good, kind-hearted people out there,” Tanisha said. “I know that the Magic could be doing so many other things and blessing so many other families and I’m just grateful that they chose to decide to help myself and my family. During this Christmas time, they not only helped us, but I see they helped others in the community…The Magic definitely helps out the city of Orlando tremendously.”

This was the 14th&nbsp;consecutive season of the Magic’s Big Give. Each year, one family is selected by the Magic as part of their assemblage of holiday events that help lift the spirits of local families and children.

“It’s amazing what the organization has done, what the DeVos family has done, what they continue to do is just so important to who we are, who this organization is, and what we are about,” Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Taking care of those obviously in times of need, but during the holiday season, it’s so special to be able to be a blessing to so many.”

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Orlando Magic Surprise Deserving Family With Holiday Gifts During Special ‘Big Give’ Halftime Presentation

The Magic center will be honored before Friday’s game for his community work

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. is a jack of all trades on the basketball court. He scores inside; he scores outside; he’s an excellent passer at his position; he rebounds at a high level; he sets hard screens; and he’s a versatile defender.

On top of all the skills he possesses, he’s a hard, diligent worker who’s all about winning and team success.

His approach to the game is much like the approach he has when giving back to the community. It’s all about the time you put in, the selflessness you show, and the environment you help foster.&nbsp;

This holiday season, the 23-year-old has hammered home that philanthropic methodology. Last month, Carter teamed up with the Magic and Florida Blue to host and sponsor a Thanksgiving turkey dinner distribution event for underserved families. On Thursday, Dec. 22, with Christmas just a few days out, the 6-foot-10, 265-pounder with a heart of gold hosted a holiday party for 65 local youth from the Boys to Men Mentoring organization at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.&nbsp;Each child received a gift bag courtesy of the Magic, Carter and his family, as well as pizza from Papa John’s.&nbsp;

“Christmas is a very special time of year – it’s a perfect opportunity for me to give back to a community that’s fairly new to me,” Carter said. “I just want to be able to show everyone (that) basketball is third or fourth on my list. I want to make an impact with the platform that I have – just to help people around me, whether it’s big things or little things. I feel like any kind of help will always be able to push a community forward.”

Central Florida community leaders have noticed the impact Carter has made since he arrived in Orlando less than two years ago following a trade from Chicago. On Friday, just before the Magic tip off their game at Amway Center against the San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will present Carter with the President Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes individuals who are committed to a high level of volunteer and community service.

It honors volunteers who use their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize contributions by Americans within their communities through service and civic engagement.

“It feels amazing. But I never look at it like I’m doing it for accolades. I really get joy in helping other people, especially kids who look like me who come from where I came from,” the Magic starting center said. “That’s my main focus for my foundation – is to basically educate and elevate the kids that were in the shoes I was in fifteen, sixteen years ago. It’s exciting. I have a lot of fun doing things like this.”&nbsp;

Not only does it take a lot of participation to make an event like Thursday’s even possible, Boys to Men Mentoring Founder and Director Daniel Ings says having a role model figure like Carter lead the charge is an absolute game changer.

“I think it’s important that when individuals reach a certain peak in life of success that they are able to reach back,” he said. “That’s what he (Wendell) has done. He has reached back into the community to share his life story, to share part of his journey, and to me, it really opens the eyes of these young men that listen – if I remain focused, if I get my high school diploma, one day go to college, pursue my career, that success waits on me as well. Him stopping by, him being here for the young people is definitely eye-opening and very impactful.”

The mission at Boys to Men Mentoring is to create responsible leaders by providing educational enrichment, mentoring, and life&nbsp;transformation skills. Every week, mentors come by to encourage and empower the boys who are between the ages of 10 and 18. Most of them grow up without a father.

It means a lot to Carter to be one of those mentors. He’s been making a big impact on students for years now through his A Platform² Foundation, which he started with his parents – Kylia and Wendell Carter Sr. – and aims to empower youth and families with a focus on STEM Education, Financial Literacy, African American History, Social Injustice and Equality Awareness. The overall foundation goal is to create a learning environment that develops well-informed youth and families who will impact and actively engage in their community. Locally, he’s been “adopting” students in the STEM program at Oakridge High School.

Carter learned at an early age from his family the importance of education. He’s fully aware that basketball, or any sport one may play, can be taken away from a person. What can’t – and it’s the message he really wants to convey to kids – is a strong academic background. In his words, “it’s the most power anybody can have.”

That perspective makes both of his parents extremely proud.

“One of the things that I’m probably most proud about is the fact that he does hold true the value of education. He really does,” his mother Kylia said. “He talks about it a lot. He’s going to finish his degree. He believes that education is what makes the difference, and he communicates that.”

“He has really taken the reins, and I’m watching him do stuff and I’m real proud,” his father added. “A lot of people ask me for advice. There isn’t a book you can go to. My wife and I have been involved. Everything he’s done, we’re involved with whatever he does. We’ve been really instrumental in trying to guide him and to make sure he does what he has to do.”

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Wendell Carter Jr. Helps Spread Holiday Cheer for Boys to Men Mentoring Youth

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We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.