The Orlando Magic News

Orlando Magic’s Glen Davis Encourages Kids to Eat Healthy, Succeed in School

The Orlando Magic, along with Magic forward Glen Davis, encouraged students to eat healthy and raised awareness for the positive changes to Florida school lunches with a special event on March 19 at Rosemont Elementary School. Glen Davis, the Magic Dancers, STUFF the Magic Mascot and representatives from the Magic joined students during lunch at Rosemont Elementary School talking about the importance of eating healthy and exercising.

The event was part of an ongoing partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition program in January 2012. The department works to improve the nutritional value of school meals, direct more locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables and encourage kids to choose the healthy options available. The department partners with teams across Florida who can carry the message that it’s important to eat right and stay active in order to compete in the classroom and on the field or court.

Photos taken by Fernando Medina.

Young Magic Fan Has Wish Come True

By John Denton

OrlandoMagic.com

ORLANDO – Not long after 13-year-old Jeremiah Hunt was escorted across the playing floor at Amway Center, close to the NBA players warming up a few feet away and to his courtside seat did he have a message for his mother, Alicia Blaine.

“He just told me that this is already one of the best nights of his life,” Alicia said while smiling and trying to hold back tears.

Jeremiah, an Altamonte Springs native, was recently a guest of the Magic when they defeated Golden State for one of the team’s best home victories of the season. Jeremiah, a seventh-grader who is already 5-foot-11 and has aspirations of playing basketball, has already survived one brain tumor and last month was diagnosed with a terminal cancer in his skull.

Getting to meet his favorite basketball player, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, slapping hands with the players before the game in the high-five line, getting an autographed jersey and watching a Magic victory brightened Jeremiah’s spirits for one day at least.

“I am having a lot of fun. I’m kind of used to coming to games here, but it’s still so much fun for me,” Jeremiah said. “I’ve never had someone do something like this for me before and I love the Magic. Plus, I’ve never met a professional basketball player and my dream is to be in the NBA. I want to grow up to be 6-7 hopefully some day.”

Jeremiah’s story is one of great courage, faith and perseverance. In 2005, Jeremiah, then six years old, was diagnosed with a Grade 3 cancerous brain tumor and given six months to live. Later that month, Jeremiah stood up at his church and declared to the congregation that he thought his body would be healed by God.

Jeremiah ultimately defied the prognosis given to him by doctors, miraculously growing to be almost 6-foot tall and living seven years as a cancer-free teenager.

However in October, Jeremiah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his skull, a secondary brain tumor that stemmed from the radiation that he received in the past for the previous cancer. Doctors believe that this cancer is terminal, but Jeremiah has vowed to continue his fight. He has remained in good spirits despite going through weekly seizures, chemotherapy treatments and being regularly in and out of the hospital.

“His spirits are actually very good. He actually does a good job of helping me keep my spirits up,” Alicia said. “I sometimes think it’s harder on me because I know what (the cancer treatments) all entail and I try to shelter him from everything that is going on. But his spirits are high. Sometimes he gets a little down going into the hospital because it’s not his favorite place to be, but other than that he’s been a very good sport about it.’’

Jeremiah used to play basketball for hours at a time, using his size inside to dominate. He said that’s why he became a fan of “Big Baby” Davis last season because of his gritty, hard-nosed style.

“I like that he’s a big guy and he’s tough enough to get rebounds,” Jeremiah said. “When I played I would do the same thing. I like to post up and take it to the hole.”

Jeremiah is home-schooled these days because he is in the hospital every two weeks because of chemotherapy treatments. When he’s around sisters Kalia (16) and Jaleah (7) and brother Isaiah (10), Jeremiah is the jokester and the most likely to tell a joke. And he rarely misses a Magic game, calling Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick his other favorite players.

Alicia said she couldn’t thank the Magic enough for making her son feel special for a night and at least temporarily take his mind off his health concerns.

“It’s hard with Jeremiah’s condition, but by the grace of God we’re going to get through this,” Alicia vowed. “It really helps a lot, getting to come to a Magic game like this. At home, when his brothers and sisters go out and play, he really has to kind of stay confined to the house. I just don’t let him out of my sights much because of everything that is going on with his condition. So when he can get out and do fun things like this it really helps. We’re so grateful to the Magic for this.”

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Redick, McRoberts & Nicholson Team Up With Pepsi

for Local Youth

-Magic’s holiday efforts continue throughout the community-

By Josh Cohen, orlandomagic.com

If you’re a kid, you likely spend 364 (365 in a leap year) days thinking about what presents you will get for the December holidays. You jot down your wish list and purposely marvel at things around your parents and other family members to insinuate what you want to see when you start unwrapping.

But imagine this: You are given a $100 gift card and you get to roam across a gigantic store with every type of electronic, toy or piece of clothing staring directly at you. And to put the cherry on top, you get to escapade around the warehouse with one of your favorite professional athletes. This sure sounds like paradise. Even full-grown adults would relish such a holiday adventure.

Well, on Tuesday, December 18 with assistance from Pepsi, 75 kids from the Central Florida Boys and Girls Club were selected to go on a shopping spree at a local Walmart with the Orlando Magic’s J.J. Redick, Josh McRoberts and Andrew Nicholson.

Redick’s contributions were significant. In total, combining both gift cards and a separate donation to help support the programs at the Boys and Girls Club, Redick contributed $5,000. In addition, Pepsi also donated $7,500 in gift cards and a cash donation to the Boys and Girls Club.

“We want to make sure all these kids have a great Christmas and that they understand the importance of giving,” Redick said. “I like to serve others. That’s a big part of who I am.

“We (he and his wife Chelsea) love the Boys and Girls Club. It provides a place of safety, encouragement and it gives them a chance to grow as people,” he added.

While this was the sixth time Redick has participated in this particular event, it was a new, but fulfilling, experience for both Nicholson and McRoberts.

“It’s great to give back to kids especially when they admire and support what you do,” said McRoberts, who was acquired by the Magic this past summer in the Dwight Howard trade.

Throughout this holiday season, Magic players and the organization’s staff have spent countless hours giving back to the community.
Recently, for instance, Glen Davis, Hedo Turkoglu and Kyle O’Quinn visited the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital and delivered gifts, signed autographs and played games with pediatric patients. Jameer Nelson, meanwhile, surprised two local families with a meet and greet and gifts he personally bought for them.

Also, find out how you could have Redick distribute half of the Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award winnings ($25,000) to the charity of your choice through a Twitter contest (#JJDonates25k) on his account, @JJRedick. Visit http://www.nba.com/magic/jj-redick-donates-25k for details.

Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson takes youth from the Boys and Girls Club shopping as part of the Magic and Pepsi holiday shopping spree on December 18. Pepsi donated 50 $100 gift cards and the J.J. Redick Foundation donated 25 $100 gift cards to each youth for the shopping spree. In addition, Pepsi and the J.J. Redick Foundation each donated $2,500 ($5k total) to the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to help support their programs. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

Kyle O’Quinn signing autographs

Magic forward Josh McRoberts helps a member from the Boys & Girls Clubs during the Magic and Pepsi holiday shopping spree event on December 18. Pepsi donated 50 $100 gift cards and the J.J. Redick Foundation donated 25 $100 gift cards to each youth for the shopping spree. In addition, Pepsi and the J.J. Redick Foundation each donated $2,500 ($5k total) to the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to help support their programs. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

left to right: Magic Dancer Kendra, STUFF the Magic Mascot, Pepsi Market Director for Central Florida Howard Corbett, Magic guard J.J. Redick, Chelsea Redick, Tim Ryan with the Boys & Girls Club, Magic VP Community Relations and Government Affairs Linda Landman Gonzalez, Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw (back), Magic Dancer Tiffany and Steve Daniels with WalMart all presented a check on behalf of Pepsi to the Boys & Girls Clubs. The J.J. Redick Foundation also presented the B&G Clubs with a check for $2,500. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

Magic guard J.J. Redick helps youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs shop during the Magic and Pepsi holiday shopping spree event on December 18. Pepsi donated 50 $100 gift cards and the J.J. Redick Foundation donated 25 $100 gift cards to each youth for the shopping spree. In addition, Pepsi and the J.J. Redick Foundation each donated $2,500 ($5k total) to the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to help support their programs. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

Magic guard J.J. Redick signs an autograph for a member from the Boys & Girls Clubs during the Magic and Pepsi holiday shopping spree event on December 18. Pepsi donated 50 $100 gift cards and the J.J. Redick Foundation donated 25 $100 gift cards to each youth for the shopping spree. In addition, Pepsi and the J.J. Redick Foundation each donated $2,500 ($5k total) to the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to help support their programs. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick and his wife Chelsea took youth from the Boys and Girls Club shopping as part of the Magic and Pepsi holiday shopping spree on December 18. Pepsi donated 50 $100 gift cards and the J.J. Redick Foundation donated 25 $100 gift cards to each youth for the shopping spree. In addition, Pepsi and the J.J. Redick Foundation each donated $2,500 ($5k total) to the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club to help support their programs. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.

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ORLANDO MAGIC TO TELEVISE 13 GAMES IN SPANISH
**Magic’s Spanish radio broadcasts will continue with all games exclusively on ElOrlandoMagic.com**

Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Magic will broadcast 12 home games and one road game in Spanish during the 2012-13 season. The home games will be produced by Fox Sports Florida, while the road contest will be produced by Fox Sports Southwest in Dallas. The first of 13 games televised in Spanish will be Friday, November 9 vs. Brooklyn.

The home games will be called by Joey Colon, entering his 15th season with the Magic’s Spanish radio broadcasts, handling play-by-play duties for television. The Magic also announced yesterday, Spanish radio broadcasts will continue with all games in Spanish exclusively on the Magic’s Spanish website, ElOrlandoMagic.com. This is the first time the games will be broadcast on the team’s site.

In an effort to further connect to the growing Hispanic fan base in Central Florida, the Orlando Magic launched ElOrlandoMagic.com in October of 2010. The new-and-improved Spanish website serves as the official source for the Hispanic community. It features original content and coverage of the Magic, including in-depth game coverage, breaking news, features, video clips, photo galleries, podcasts, press releases and team information in Spanish.

The 2012-13 Magic En Espanol Television Schedule (subject to change; home games in caps):

November
Fri. 9 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.
Tues. 13 NEW YORK 7 p.m.
Sun. 25 BOSTON 6 p.m.
Fri. 30 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.

December
Sat. 29 TORONTO 7 p.m.

January
Wed. 2 CHICAGO 7 p.m.
Sat. 5 NEW YORK 7 p.m.
Sun. 20 DALLAS 6 p.m.
Thurs. 24 TORONTO 7 p.m.

February
Sun. 10 PORTLAND 6 p.m.
Weds. 20 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.

March
Sun. 10 PHILADELPHIA 6 p.m.
Tues. 12 L.A. LAKERS 7 p.m.

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 five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010), had seven 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. 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 6,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 22 years more than $17 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF-MFF), a McCormick Foundation Fund since 1994, which serves at-risk youth. Ticket highlights for the 2012-13 season in the Amway Center, named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year, include: 2,500 seats priced $20 or less, 8,000 seats priced $40 or less and 10,000 seats priced $50 or under. For ticket information log on to http://www.orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

Orlando Magic Unveil Bold, New Marketing Campaign
“WE WILL”

Orlando, Fla. —To build off the organization’s history of success and resiliency, the Magic have unveiled a new, bold marketing campaign, “WE WILL.” This rebranded campaign ‘turns the page’ on the next chapter in Orlando Magic history. As the team and the Magic brand continue to grow, this evolution speaks to the Magic’s continued desire to put a championship product on and off the court.

“WE WILL” promises the Magic will do whatever it takes to put a winner on the floor and create a product Magic fans and partners can be proud of on all fronts. The shift from “Be Magic” to “WE WILL” was made to update the Magic’s message and reaffirm the franchise’s desire to be great. Hallmarks of the campaign are in the Magic’s mantra of hard work, competing every night, leading and inspiring as the Magic strive for excellence via integrity, strength, resilience and togetherness.

“The Orlando Magic is an organization whose mission is for excellence both on and off the court. “WE WILL” really reflects our team, coaches, staff and our mission,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “This new campaign signifies the beginning of a new era of excellence for the Orlando Magic and our fans. We are excited about the direction we are headed as we build on the legend and success already created and look forward to what the future holds.”

“For us, this campaign was relevant with or without the roster changes. We feel strongly that it’s a great statement and a strong message that we wanted to provide to our employees, our fans and all of our partners,” said Magic Vice President of Brand Management Roman Vega. “It’s designed to shatter any questions about us not wavering in our mission to compete for a championship and that everything we do is designed to put us in the best possible position to accomplish this.”

A team of 25 Magic staff members, including Martins, worked with local advertising firm, Great Big Circle, to create the new slogan which was designed to promise fans and partners that the Magic will rebuild. The Magic officially unveiled the new marketing campaign to Orlando and the Central Florida market on September 24. The team will utilize television, print, radio and billboard advertising as well as non-traditional avenues such as online, social media and in-areas. “WE WILL” will also be seen on game tickets, pocket schedules and in digital formats.

“We want the fans, season ticket holders and clients to establish that interpersonal connection with us as an organization,” added Vega, “and the values that we carry as an organization.”

Since the DeVos Family purchased the team in 1991-92, the Orlando Magic are tied for first in the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a winning percentage of .544. The Orlando Magic have finished with a .500 record or better in 16 of the last 20 seasons (since 1992-93), tied for fifth-best in the NBA. Orlando has also reached the playoffs 14 times in the last 19 seasons (since 1993-94), also tied for fifth-best in the NBA.

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 6,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 22 years more than $17 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF-MFF), a McCormick Foundation Fund since 1994, which serves at-risk youth.

Ticket highlights for the 2012-13 season in the Amway Center, named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year, include: 2,500 seats priced $20 or less, 8,000 seats priced $40 or less and 10,000 seats priced $50 or under. For ticket information log on to http://www.orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

MAGIC SIGN FREE AGENT E’TWAUN MOORE

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard E’Twaun Moore, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Moore (6’4”, 191, 2/25/89) played in 38 games during his rookie campaign last season with Boston, averaging 2.9 ppg. in 8.7 minpg. He scored a career-high 16 points, including four three-pointers on Jan. 26 @ Orlando. Moore also appeared in nine playoff outings.

Originally selected in the second round (55th overall) by Boston in the 2011 NBA Draft, Moore appeared in 140 games (136 starts) during his four-year collegiate career at Purdue University, averaging 15.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 2.9 rpg. and 1.17 stlpg in 32.3 minpg. He led the Boilermakers in scoring for three straight seasons (2007-10), was named First Team All-Big Ten twice (2009-10, 2010-11) and Second Team All-Big Ten twice (2007-08, 2008-09).

During his senior season (2010-11), Moore played and started in 34 games, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.1 rpg.3.2 rpg. and 1.21 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg. As a junior (2009-10), he became the first player in 20 years to lead Purdue in both scoring and assists. In 2007-08, Moore became the first true freshman ever to lead the Boilermakers in scoring.

ORLANDO MAGIC PRESEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Preseason tickets for the 2012-13 Orlando Magic season are on sale now to the general public. The Magic will make its preseason debut in the Amway Center when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, October 11. Tip-off is 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available for purchase:

Online at www.orlandomagic.com

At the Amway Center box office (located on Church St.)
(cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover)

At all TicketMaster outlets (cash only)
By calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover)

New “Pick Your Magic Mix” 7-game flex plans, starting at $70, will go on sale to the general public on September 4. The 7-game flex plan will offer fans the chance to pick any seven games anywhere in the Amway Center. Ticket highlights for the 2012-13 season in the Amway Center, named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year, include: 2,500 seats priced $20 or less, 8,000 seats priced $40 or less and 10,000 seats priced $50 or under. For ticket information log on to www.orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

MAGIC COMPLETE COACHING STAFF

The Orlando Magic have named James Borrego, Wes Unseld Jr. and Brett Gunning as assistant coaches, General Manager Rob Hennigan and Head Coach Jacque Vaughn announced today. In addition, Laron Profit and Luke Stuckey have been named assistant coaches/player development, while Gordon Chiesa has been named special consultant to the head coach. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.

“Each coach brings a unique skill set to the staff,” said Vaughn. “Collectively, this staff possesses a diverse basketball background. We are truly fortunate that these men have decided to join our Magic family.”

Borrego spent the last two seasons (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Hornets. Prior to joining New Orleans, he spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs from 2003-10. Borrego started as an assistant video coordinator in the summer of 2003 and finished his tenure as an assistant coach. During those season seasons, he was a part of two NBA World Championship teams in 2005 and 2007.

Borrego began his coaching career at the University of San Diego, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons from 2001-03. During the 2002-03 campaign, San Diego captured the West Coast Conference Championship and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Borrego played three seasons at the University of San Diego, and during his senior season (2000-01), was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in leadership studies from USD.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, N.M., Borrego led Albuquerque Academy to a pair of state championships.

Unseld spent the 2011-12 campaign as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. Prior to joining Golden State, he spent 13 seasons with the Washington Wizards, including six seasons as an assistant coach from 2005-11. Unseld played a key role in player development for the Wizards, helping Washington to four consecutive playoff appearances from 2004-08. His scouting reports were also vital in the team’s game planning and preparation.

Unseld began his NBA career in 1997, just four days after graduating from John Hopkins University, as a professional and college scout for Washington. He was promoted later that same year to advance scout. In addition to his nine-year tenure as advance pro scout for the Wizards, he also spent three seasons (1998-2000) as an advance scout for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. In 1998, Unseld spent part of the season serving as an assistant coach for the Mystics.

A native of Maryland and the son of Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, Unseld Jr. played on the men’s basketball team at John Hopkins for three seasons.

Gunning spent the last four seasons (2008-12) in various capacities with the Houston Rockets. He began with Houston in 2008 as the team’s director of player development, where he was responsible for improving player performance through on-court, one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis. Gunning was then named an assistant coach prior to the 2011-12 campaign.

Prior to joining the Rockets, Gunning spent seven seasons (2001-08) as a member of the coaching staff at Villanova University under Jay Wright. During his time with the Wildcats, Gunning played a vital role in recruiting and developing a unit that secured four straight NCAA Tournament berths and made three trips to the Sweet 16. He was named associate coach in 2005 and was recognized following the 2007-08 season as one of the top 25 assistants in the nation by Rivals.com. Gunning’s responsibilities with Villanova included on-court teaching, recruiting and scouting.

Gunning was also a member of Wright’s staff at Hofstra University for seven seasons from1994-2001. He was a part of a staff that turned Hofstra into an American East powerhouse, posting a 72-22 (.766) record from 1998-2001. Gunning, who assisted with recruiting, individual instruction, scouting and film analysis at Hofstra, was also instrumental in the development of the Pride players.

A native of Broomall, Penn., Gunning graduated from Malvern Prep in 1990 and spent two years as a team manager during his undergraduate studies at Villanova, before accompanying former Wildcats Head Coach Rollie Massimino to UNLV in 1992. He then served as a student assistant for two years with the Runnin’ Rebels, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1994.

Profit played in 135 regular season games during his four-year NBA career with Washington and the L.A. Lakers, averaging 3.3 ppg., 1.5 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 11.4 minpg. He was originally selected in the second round (38th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft by Orlando, but was traded to Washington prior to the 1999-2000 season and never played for the Magic. Stuckey has served as varsity head coach at San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas, CA, a suburb of San Diego, for the last four seasons.

Last season, Chiesa served as a consultant for the NBA Development League. He is best known in NBA circles from his time as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz, a position he held for 16 seasons from 1989-90 to 2004-05. During his tenure, he helped guide Utah to two Western Conference crowns, three Midwest Division championships, a regular season record of 809-471 (.632) and 14 consecutive postseason appearances, including 149 playoff games. Chiesa has also been an assistant coach with Seattle and Memphis, and was the Grizzlies’ director of pro scouting.

ABOUT THE ORLANDO MAGIC

The Orlando Magic Focus on Literacy to Provide a Bright Future for All Youth

By Trish Wingerson

Did you know 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving at-risk children have no access to books? And as a result, by age four children will hear 32 million fewer words than children who read on a daily basis and have access to books in their home. To put those startling statistics into perspective, studies have shown that children who don’t learn to read by the second grade often fall badly behind their counterparts and struggle to ever catch up later in school. This can have a devastating effect on a child’s confidence and future success.

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The Orlando Magic is planting seeds of success through the development of multiple programs and partnerships to help Central Florida youth flourish. It is with that goal in mind, the Magic has made literacy/education one of its three community focus areas.

“The Magic has made literacy and education one of our main points of emphasis in the community,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Educating our youth is really the key to the success of our community and obviously reading plays a fundamental role in learning.”

The Magic has built reading and learning centers, donated books, developed and donated money to reading programs and created events celebrating education. Each limb contains a little piece in the direction of something larger, building a child’s confidence and literacy skills branch by branch.

“Kids learn to read up unto the second grade and then they read to learn,” said Cindy Williams, executive director of the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools’ Read 2 Succeed program. “So if they don’t enter third grade with good fluency and literacy skills it’s just really tough for them to catch up.

“You can see it in the FCAT scores. You can see where the third graders are testing and see that about 71 percent are reading at the third grade level,” Williams continued. “You can look at the 71 percent or say that almost 30 percent aren’t reading at their level. But taking that 71 percent, by the time they get to 10^th grade it’s down to 36 percent are reading at grade level. So it’s a steady downhill slope from third grade to 10^th grade, and the problem is that we’re not teaching literacy. When they get to third grade we stop teaching reading, so we’re looking at how we can integrate in all of our subjects literacy help so that the children are reading all of the time.”

It is through multiple programs and partnerships that the Magic has created a tiered approach to help conquer this important task.

Baskets for Books

The Orlando Magic has partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida for the Baskets for Books program. Through the program, for every point made by the Magic at each home game one book will be donated to the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. Approximately 12,000 books have been donated since program inception two seasons ago. The Early Learning Coalition ensures children ages birth to five experience the benefits of developmentally appropriate, research based early education services with the goal of school readiness success.

Reading and Learning Centers

Over the past six years, the Magic and Kia Motors have renovated ten Reading & Learning Centers in the Central Florida area. The centers created/renovated include the John H. Bridges Community Center/Apopka Branch Boys & Girls Club; Nap Ford computer lab; Colonialtown Neighborhood Center Reading and Learning Center; Northwest Community Center Reading and Learning Center; Jackson Community Center computer lab presented by Hunt; Hi-Tech Tutoring Reading and Learning Center; Pine Hills Reading and Learning Center; Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center and the New Image Youth Center in Parramore all presented by Kia Motors. The renovations reflect the Magic and Kia Motors commitment to the advancement of literacy in Orlando, and its goal to create an environment conducive to learning and play where children can excel academically and socially.

Take Stock in Children

The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund (OMYF-MFF), provided a $100,000 grant in 2011 to Valencia Community College Foundation for its Take Stock in Children program. Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income youth/students, many from minority families, to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The program offers students college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors and hope for a better life. The services start in middle school, continue through high school and include their transition into college. The Magic has a long-standing partnership with Take Stock in Children, donating more than $130,000 to their efforts.

Read 2 Succeed

The OMYF-MFF, provided $70,000 in grants over the past two years to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools for its Read 2 Succeed program. The program is set up to aggressively attack literacy problems among young children to ensure success later in school and in life. In the program, volunteer mentors work with students on a weekly basis to assist them with their reading. They read to the students and listen as the student reads aloud. Also, the students are paired with their peers so they are reading five days a week. Through this program students have shown more confidence, better self-worth and a fuller understanding of school work.

OMYF-MFF Grants

This past year alone, the OMYF-MFF, has distributed nearly $700,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations for their education programs. In addition to the organizations already mentioned (Valencia Community College Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program and the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools’ Read 2 Succeed program) the OMYF-MFF has distributed grants to the Adult Literacy League, Apopka Family Learning Center (Justice & Peace Office), Boys and Girls Club of CF, Bridges of Light Foundation, Community Coordinated Child Care (4C), Early Learning Coalition, Foster Grandparent Program, Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Inc., Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida, Foundation of Osceola Education, GROWS Literacy Council, Hope CommUnity Center and The Conductive Education Center of Orlando.

Orlando Magic and OCPS Summer Reading Initiative

The Orlando Magic is participating in Orange County Public Schools Summer Reading Initiative to keep students’ reading on track when school is out for the summer. The program’s mission is to create, develop and deploy a district-wide summer reading program for Orange County Public Schools students and families that will encourage students to read literature selections from the district’s recommended reading list, school-based reading lists, a partnership with the Orange County Public Library Systems, select book stores, and myON Reader (a digital library that will give all Orange County Public School students access to 2,500 grade-level books). Individuals participating in the contest will be eligible to receive rewards:

· The student who spends the most time reading this summer will receive an iPad.
· The student who spends the second-most time reading will receive a Kindle Fire.
· The student who spends the third-most time reading will receive an iPod touch.
· Every student who spends 30 hours or more reading this summer will receive tickets to a select Orlando Magic game.
· The school with the most time spent reading will be crowned with the Orange County Summer Reading Championship Title. The school will receive a commemorative trophy to be displayed at their school.

Back to School

To further enhance the Orlando Magic’s commitment to education, over the past two summers the team has donated more than 1,500 backpacks with supplies to children at the Parramore Kidz Zone (PKZ) and those enrolled in the local community centers and Magic/Orange County community gyms. To tip off this 2012-13 school year, the Magic held a “Back to School Bash” on August 7 at the Downtown Recreation Center for youth from the PKZ. The event provided lunch and supply-filled backpacks for each child as well as free haircuts courtesy of the Paul Mitchell School and Hairvolution. Other activities for the PKZ kids featured inflatables, rock walls, video game truck, laser tag, water relay games along with appearances from Magic talent and STUFF. Additional backpack and supply contributors included Dixon Ticonderoga Prang Power, the Glen Davis Foundation, UnitedHealthcare, PepsiCo, Amway, McDonald’s and Florida Blue with additional event contributions provided by Fox Sports Florida, Power 95.3, Star 94.5 and Florida Hospital.

The importance of reading cannot be understated. Constantly having to play catch up with other students can have enormous consequences, with further research showing that each year almost 1/3 of public high school students fail to graduate and every day in America 7,000 students drop out. An estimated 12 million students will dropout this next decade, costing our nation $3 trillion. Not to mention, the effects an uneducated society can have on future generations and our country. Nobody knows this better than the teachers and administrators that work in the school system.

“You’ve got to catch it early with the children and give them success and confidence, and you have to keep at it too. We can’t stop helping these kids,” said Williams. “What the Magic have done says that they are truly a part of the community. They are looking at creating good citizenship and making an effort to bring our young people up in a way that they will be able to contribute when they become adults. It’s a good corporate citizen like the Magic that does the things that they are doing.”

: Orlando Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw (pictured here) and other Magic staff members handed out backpacks to youth from the Parramore Kidz Zone during the Magic’s Back to School Bash in August. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.