Nearly $700,000 Distributed Through Orlando Magic Youth Fund to Central Florida Community

Here’s the official word from the Magic.

NEARLY $700,000 DISTRIBUTED THROUGH
ORLANDO MAGIC YOUTH FUND TO CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY
-Beneficiaries to be recognized at the January 6 game-

Orlando, Fla. –The Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation, in a surprise ceremony, will present checks totaling nearly $700,000 to 23 grantee organizations from three counties in Central Florida (Orange, Seminole and Osceola). The presentation will be held at the OMYF Grant Recipient Awards night on Tuesday, January 5 at the Orlando Museum of Art from 4:30-6:30 p.m. As part of the surprise check presentation, the organizations will be greeted by Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw.

With funds raised through OMYF, and the match provided by the McCormick Foundation, a total of $689,000 in grants will be distributed to these charities. In addition to the Grant Recipient Awards night, the organizations will be recognized at halftime of the Wednesday, January 6 game vs. the Toronto Raptors (tip-off at 7:00 p.m.).

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 2009.

“Through the OMYF we are committed to ensuring the team provides a positive, encouraging example,” said Vice President of Community Relations/OMYF and Government Affairs Linda Landman-Gonzalez. “We hope to leave an indelible mark in our community through our charitable endeavors and are committed to that task. It is our privilege to be able to honor those who help to make Central Florida a better place.”

OMYF 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 $15 million has been granted through OMYF to local nonprofit organizations.

The 2009 grant recipients: A Gift of Music, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Florida, Boys Town of Central Florida, Bridges of Light Foundation, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Community Coordinated Care for Children, Crealde School of Arts, Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Gift for Swimming, GROWS Literacy Council, Harbor House of Central Florida, Health Care Center for the Homeless, HEBNI Nutrition Consultants, Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando, Justice and Peace Office, Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando Marine Institute, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Shepherd’s Hope, Steinway Society of Central Florida, The Salvation Army, Valencia Community College Foundation

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor at NFL Mocks Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)