ORLANDO – June 18, 2015 – The Orlando City Foundation donated $10,000 to the Parramore Kid Zone for the second-consecutive year. The funds will benefit 10 local students who are headed to college in the fall. Each student will receive $1,000 toward tuition and related expenses.
Foundation president Kay Rawlins, along with Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, celebrated the students’ achievement during halftime of the D.C. United match at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Sunday, June 14.
The donation to the Parramore Kidz Zone is part of the Foundation’s ongoing mission to raise funds and create programs that promote the holistic well-being of children in the greater Orlando area. One such program is the 50/50 Drawing of a Chance lottery, which occurs during every Lions’ home match at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Fifty percent of funds raised through the lottery are awarded to the Foundation, and the other 50 percent to a lucky winner.
The 10-student scholarship recipients have decided to “pay forward” the assistance they received from the Orlando City Foundation by volunteering as 50/50 vendors at the next home match against the Colorado Rapids on June 24. Fans are encouraged to participate and help raise funds for this and other noteworthy causes.
“Children are the foundation to the future of our community, and we are always looking for ways to contribute to their overall success,” said Rawlins. “We implement many initiatives year-round, including afterschool programs and free summer soccer camps. We strongly believe our sport can influence children to lead healthier, more productive lives and encourage them to stay on the right path.”
Parramore Kidz Zone is a neighborhood-based program, which aims to equip and empower children to become successful, healthy and well-educated adults. By investing in early childhood education, after school programs as well as programs that build family economic success, Parramore Kidz Zone is gradually reducing juvenile crime and high school dropout rates across the district.
