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Orlando Magic donate $50,000 to Seminole State

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013
Loraine O'Connell

From left: John Gyllin, executive director of the Foundation for Seminole State College of Florida; Linda Landman-Gonzalez, Orlando Magic vice president of Community Relations and Government Affairs; Dr. E. Ann McGee; Dan DeVos, chairman of the Orlando Magic; and Alex Martins, Orlando Magic CEO.

Seminole State College of Florida has received a $50,000 grant from the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF) to benefit first-generation college students.

“We are thrilled that the Orlando Magic recognize the important work Seminole State is doing to help first-generation college students complete their education,” said Dr. E. Ann McGee, the College’s president. “Last year, the Magic provided the initial funding for our Molding Another Generation in College (MAGIC) Fund. This grant will help us to continue offering these students the tools they need to succeed.”

Seminole State’s MAGIC fund supports first-generation-in-college students, including those in the College’s Wayne M. Densch Scholars Program. The Densch program, which started in August with a cohort of 50 students, provides scholarships for needy students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Studies have shown that first-generation students face unique challenges. Seminole State’s MAGIC fund offers them mentoring, tutoring and assistance with financial planning and budgeting.

This is the third consecutive year that the Orlando Magic Youth Fund has presented checks totaling more than $1 million to nonprofits in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. During the past 22 years, more than $17 million has been distributed to the local nonprofit community through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund (OMYF-MFF) since 1994. The McCormick Foundation matches all donations to the fund at 50 cents on the dollar. Scholarships are also awarded each year.

The grant money is raised through donations by the Magic’s corporate partners, the Black Tie and Tennies Gala, the OMYF Open golf tournament, 50/50 raffles during games and online, and in-game memorabilia auctions.

The 17 winners of the 2013 OMYF grants were announced as the “OMYF-MFF All-Star Team” in a mock NBA draft format, with each winner receiving an OMYF-MFF jersey or specialty basketball. Winners also were recognized at halftime during the Jan. 24 Magic vs. Raptors matchup.

After an extensive five-phase process that began in July, the 2013 OMYF winners were recommended by the OMYF “VIP” Committee and its Advisory Council and then approved by the McCormick Foundation’s Board of Directors. 

For more information on the grant, visit the official Orlando Magic Youth Foundation website.