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The Orlando City Foundation
The Orlando City Foundation, founded in 2012, uses the sport of soccer and the powerful influence of the
Orlando City organization to promote exercise and healthy eating with children and families in the Central
Florida community. The Foundation takes great pride in their active role in the community, harnessing the
cooperation of players, staff, fans and community partners to make a difference in the lives of others.
Childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last 30 years and tackling this issue has become a
focus for the Foundation. Obesity leads to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer
and depression and accounts for 10% of healthcare spending.
Starting small by giving free summer soccer programs in Parramore, the work of the Foundation has
grown to include, in 2015, 20 Title One elementary schools. Each school received an equipment pack of balls,
cones, goals, shin guards and in some cases, footwear. After school staff are given access to free training and
shadow a Foundation coach for eight weeks so that they can continue the program into the future. Over 90
coaches have been trained so far.
Free summer camps have continued in the Parramore area where the new stadium will be located – over
1000 kids have come through the programs.
Solving the problem of space to play in urban areas, the Foundation has begun installing mini pitches,
approximately the size of a tennis court. A nationally accredited program, Soccer for Success began at the
first mini pitch this year with plans and funding to build five more, plus programming, in 2015. The program incorporates three 90-minute sessions per week which includes 60 minutes of vigorous exercise plus nutrition
and healthy lifestyle education. Orlando City players visit the programs to encourage and mentor the children.
The Foundation has also donated $30,000 to three partner non-profits working on children’s initiatives –
Howard Phillip’s Center for Children & Families; Parramore Kidz Zone; Summer of Dreams plus seven micro
grants of up to $1000 for organizations starting soccer programs in under-served areas.
The Foundation has four fundraising events each year;
• February 2016 will see a brand new event, a footgolf tournament in
partnership with the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation
• June is the ever popular PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon
• September sees a more traditional Celebrity Golf Tournament with
the chance to play alongside Orlando City players and coaches
• In October, the Club holds its Awards Gala, a glittering, Oscar’s
style affair
For more information go to www.orlandocityfoundation.org n
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