OMYF Assists 25 Central Florida Organizations with Checks Totaling $600,000

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Make use of double post

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By John Denton

 

Jan. 22, 2014

 

 

 

ORLANDO – The emotion inside of her swelling throughoutWednesday’s Orlando Magic Youth Fund event, Karen Willis was able to allow ascreeching yelp to erupt out of her mouth when the Early Learning Coalition ofOrange County’s name was finally called.

 

 

 

Willis’ raw, unfiltered emotion poured out for a couple ofreasons on Wednesday at the Amway Center. First, her organization was therecipient of a $100,000 grant from the OMYF, a McCormick Foundation Fund. Butshe was also moved nearly to tears because she was well aware of just how muchof a difference the Magic’s money could make in the lives of so many childrenin Orange County.

 

 

 

``It was just very exciting,’’ said Willis, the CEO of theEarly Learning Coalition, referring to her show of emotion. ``We were reallyhoping, but this is just so wonderful what the Magic have done for us. This(grant) means wonderful things for the youngest kids in our community.’’