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EVENT HONORING ORLANDO MAGIC RAISES $66,000 FOR HOMELESS
ORLANDO, Fla. — (January 22, 2010)—Over 500 Central Florida business, government and community leaders helped Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida pay tribute to the Orlando Magic at its 4th Annual Celebration, An Evening with the Men in Blue, on Thursday, January 21, 2010. The event recognized the team and owner Rich DeVos for their extraordinary contributions to the community and the Coalition over the years, and raised nearly $66,000 for programs to return homeless men, women and families with children to independence.
 Presented by Baker Hostetler LLP, the evening featured an awards presentation and sumptuous reception, hosted by NBA City Restaurant. The reception was followed by an exclusive performance by world renowned Blue Man Group, who donated their talents, at their Sharp Aquos Theatre home stage. Other major sponsors included Universal Orlando, Harriett Lake, Orlando Health, Bank of America, Hilton Grand Vacations, and the Orlando Magic.
"The Orlando Magic is a stellar organization committed to the community on court and off," said Coalition President/CEO Brent Trotter as he highlighted the organization's substantial monetary and volunteer support of the Central Florida community. "For 17 years, the Magic has sponsored Thanksgiving breakfast at the Coalition. Each year, their staff has unselfishly donated their time to come and serve 800 meals and hold a carnival for the children who call the Coalition home. The organization has contributed in so many ways."
"Our organization is very committed to the community and has a special feeling for our involvement at the Coalition. Out of our staff's many volunteer activities during the year, the Thanksgiving morning breakfast is the most popular," said Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins as he accepted the 2009 Corporate Partner Award from Mr. Trotter. "The homeless are not only the man on the street. There are women and a growing number of families with children....they are our neighbors."
 Emphasizing the team's commitment to the Coalition, Martins introduced player Adonal Foyle and Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw as examples of Magic staff who have willingly devoted much of their time to community service.
As a surprise honoree at the event, Jean Worrall received the Coalition's 2009 "Heart for the Homeless Award" for her longstanding passion and dedication to addressing the needs of homeless men, in particular those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, etc. Ms. Worrall was the Coalition's first employee in 1987, started its CHAIR substance abuse recovery program (now called First Steps) in 1999, and continues to be a staunch advocate for those in need. To illustrate the impact of the First Steps Program, Mr. Trotter recognized a former client who was helped to move from a heroin-centered, homeless existence into his current life of family, purpose and independence.
The evening culminated with an exclusive performance by Blue Man Group. The audience was delighted when the Blue Men led Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw on-stage to participate in a lively segment and proceeded to paint a smocked and helmeted Brent Trotter a royal shade of blue.
Coalition for the Homeless is the largest provider of homeless services in Central Florida. This non-profit organization works to address the needs of the homeless in the community and serves as a catalyst for community collaboration to end homelessness by offering comprehensive case management programs to help the homeless become self-sufficient. In the most recent fiscal year, the Coalition served nearly 300,000 meals and provided over 211,000 nights of shelter to homeless individuals.
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