March 28, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY

Dwight Howard Named Winner of the 2008-09 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award for Third Time.

Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was named the 2008-2009 winner of the Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award Saturday night at the 19th Annual OMYF Black Tie & Tennies Charity Gala Presented by M&I Bank held at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes.  This marks the third time Howard has won the award (2004-05, 2007-08 and 2008-09).

Each year at the Gala, the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF) honors a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives.  An anonymous panel of external representatives selects the player.  In addition to receiving the award, the player is granted $50,000 from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation to donate to the charity of his 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 Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation and the NBA.  Highlights of his community involvement for the 2008-2009 season include:

• Donated $25,000 to the Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) to refurbish the locker room area in the Downtown Orlando Recreation Complex to develop the “PKZ teen shack” complete with a new photography lab, laptops and videogames.
• Assisted building a playground as part of the Magic’s annual KaBoom! playground build for the John H. Jackson Community Center for children in the Parramore area. 
• Donated $25,000 to “Blessings in a Backpack” to provide children from Lake Como Elementary with a nutritious meal on the weekends. 
• Visited children over the holidays at Florida Children’s Hospital.
• Provided the opportunity for 160 children each game a chance to see the Magic play through his ticket program, ‘Friends of Superman’.
• Provided 100/$100 Publix gift cards and 100 emergency preparedness kits to 100 Central Florida families in need at the Christian Service Center over the holidays.
• Met military families postgame as part of the Magic’s Seats for Soldiers Night on January 9. 
• Donated gifts and met with families for the Magic holiday party with underprivileged children and their families.
• Participated in two internal autograph sessions, which helps support Central Florida non-profit organizations by raising money through silent auctions.
• While in Phoenix for All-Star weekend participated in a KaBoom! playground build as part of NBA Cares service projects.
• Helped raise money for the OMYF by participating in the OMYF Golf Tournament.

 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).

The funds raised this year by the OMYF were distributed to the community through grants totaling $751,000.  On February 11, checks to 26 out of the 27 grantee organizations from nine different counties (Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, Lake, Polk and Sumter) were presented at halftime of the Magic vs. Denver game.   The beneficiaries were recommended by the OMYF “VIP” Committee and then approved by the McCormick Foundation’s Board of Directors after an extensive five-phase process which began in July of 2008. 

The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, focuses on helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.

OMYF, founded in 1988, became a fund of the McCormick Foundation in 1994.  OMYF is supported through a team effort by Magic players, coaches, staff and the DeVos Family, in partnership with season ticket holders, corporate partners, fans and the community and matching funds provided by the McCormick Foundation.  Since inception, nearly $154 million has been granted through OMYF to local nonprofit organizations.  For more information on the OMYF, log on to www.orlandomagic.com.

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 four division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009), had five 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 5,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $15 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, which serves at risk and disadvantaged youth. Ticket highlights 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 the fall of 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.