Easter Seals "A Pair to Remember" with Midfielder Jamie Watson

03/06/2013 8:32 PM - Rebecca Thomas

Easter Seals held its Ninth Annual "A Pair to Remember" event this past weekend Friday, March 1st at the Mall at Millenia. This ladies’ luncheon and shoe auction was a unique event targeting Central Florida’s well-heeled women and those who put their hearts and “soles” into enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Our very own Orlando City Midfielder Jamie Watson was put to work as he strutted his stuff for the event as a 2013 Easter Seal spokesperson. Jamie was thrilled to have played a part in promoting an event that raised a massive $105,000, their largest revenue event to date!

“A Pair to Remember was one of the most well ran, enjoyable events I've ever been a part of. From the people organizing it, the guys participating, down to the crowd in attendance. I truly felt, all involved realized how important their time and donations were to impacting these amazing children. The large amount in attendance was equally matched by the large contributions via donation. I left feeling so good about helping others, all while having a bit of fun showcasing some amazing shoes and gift packages!” Jamie Watson said.

Money raised at this year's “A Pair to Remember” event goes to funding the valuable programs that make Easter Seals possible. Over 93 cents of every dollar raised goes straight to their local programs.


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Healthy Eating with the Orlando Day Nursery

02/25/2013 9:16 AM - Rebecca Thomas

Orlando City's Erik Ustruck and Director of Community Relations Kay Rawlins visited Orlando Day Nursery on Thursday, February 20, to talk to parents and children about healthy eating habits and the importance of exercise. After a brief presentation on the importance of learning good habits from a young age, looking at how to read food labels and Q&A session, the families were invited to put their knowledge to work.

A table of all kinds of food needed to be divided into ‘GO’ (foods that can be eaten almost anytime) ‘SLOW’ (foods to eat sometimes or less often) and ‘WHOA’ (eat only once in a while or on special occasions) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/go-slow-whoa.pdf. Everyone did really well and the little ones were very enthusiastic about transporting all the fruits and vegetables to the GO table!


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Dennis Chin "kicks it" in Parramore

02/22/2013 2:32 PM - Rebecca Thomas

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Orlando City forward Dennis Chin has teamed up with the New Image Youth Center located in Parramore. New Image is the refuge of 50 youth, from the unhealthy, dangerous and sometimes deadly streets that they normally frequent. In collaboration with New Image and the Orlando City Soccer Foundation, Dennis is looking to raise money through donations.

Examples include but are not limited to:


• Educational supplies
• Technology items
• Sporting equipment,
• Individual drinks
• Disposable cups and plates
• Cleaning supplies such as antibacterial spray, etc.
• Poster Board
• School supplies
• Gently used clothing and shoes of any size for male and female

His goal is to raise $5,000 through various donations throughout the 2013 campaign. During Chin’s most recent visit he was able to collect and donate Nike tennis shoes for the kids of New Image. Below is Dennis’s first hand story on becoming involved with the New Image Youth Center.


"My passion for sports and specifically soccer began on the streets and in the neighborhood parks of Kingston, Jamaica. I couldn’t wait to finish my homework during the day so I could go out and play. I moved to the U.S. at the age of 11 and the setting was much different; things were more structured and organized when it came to sports and activities.

Getting a taste of both worlds, one that encouraged creativity and resilience, and the other nurturing discipline and competitiveness; shaped me into not only the athlete, but also the individual that I am today. Being a local boy, I climbed the ladder from high school soccer at Oviedo High School, college soccer at Rollins College, and now professional soccer at Orlando City Soccer Club. Therefore, my connection to the Orlando area is very strong and I am always looking to help the youth in the area realize that with focus, passion, discipline, and hard work they can achieve almost anything.


When I heard about New Image Youth Center and what they were doing for the kids in the Orlando area, I knew it was something I would like to be a part of. After visiting the center and hanging out with kids, I realized that New Image was providing these kids with not only a safe place to learn and play, but also encouraging all the ideals that help mold great individuals. I am excited to partner with such an incredible organization, and I am looking forward to spending more time helping these talented children reach their full potential not only as athletes but as citizens."

-Written by Orlando City Forward Dennis Chin
 

Jamie Watson's Easter Seals Story

02/22/2013 2:09 PM - Rebecca Thomas

 

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Orlando City midfielder Jamie Watson has teamed up with the Easter Seals, an organization that have been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for more than 80 years. In collaboration with the Easter Seals and the Orlando City Soccer Foundation, Jamie is looking to raise money through monetary donations this season. His goal is to raise $5,000 through the 2013 campaign. Below is Jamie’s first hand story on becoming involved with the Easter Seals.

"You know that feeling when you feel so connected to something from the moment your first introduced to it? That's the feeling I had when I first learned what Easter Seals was all about. Growing up the youngest of 3 boys, I didn't have a 'normal' childhood like most. My 'normal' was helping my mom Janet, my dad West, and my brother Kevin take care of my oldest brother Brett. Brett was born with cerebral palsy and is mentally and physically handicapped. Always has been, always will be.


As Brett has grown up through life, and throughout school in particular, I have met hundreds of amazing children like my brother. Being involved in the lives of such amazing young boys and girls just like my brother has had the biggest impact in my life. The pure happiness and genuine love from a special needs child is a very real emotion in my eyes. These kids are truly a gift to this world and, to me, there is no greater feeling than helping put a smile on one of God's beautiful children!
So when I first learned that I could possibly become involved with Easter Seals of Florida, I jumped at the chance. Being a professional soccer player for Orlando City Soccer Club, I know my life has been extremely blessed. I'm so lucky to play the game that I love. With every blessing placed in your life, I feel a strong need to 'pay my blessing forward.' My 'paying it forward' moment is now. By becoming a spokesperson for Easter Seals, I am dedicating myself to spend time with these amazing children, and to help however I can.


I ask each one of you reading this now to take a moment and look at the many blessings in your lives. Then take a second to imagine a world where you're not as fortunate, or sometimes, physically or mentally able to enjoy those blessings. There are a lot of children right here in your hometown that would love to have your help emotionally, time wise, via donations, anything you can think of that might bring a bit of joy to them! I challenge you to ask yourself, how can I help? I promise to do the same and do everything I can to help as many special needs children in whatever way possible. Together, we can improve the lives of so many young men and women, and make this world a better place. Thank you for joining me on this journey with Easter Seals!"

-Written by Orlando City Midfielder Jamie Watson
 

OCSF in the Community

02/21/2013 2:16 PM - Rebecca Thomas

 

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In November of 2012, Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC), in conjunction with Orlando City Soccer Foundation (OCSF), ran their first free soccer clinic at the New Image Youth Center on Parramore in downtown Orlando. A host of OCYS directors, along with Pro Defender Justin Clark, ran the clinics- teaching the children the basics of the beautiful game and some tips on healthy lifestyles.


At the end of the day, the Center was left with brand new indestructible soccer balls for years of use without worry of going flat. After receiving feedback of stories of how those contributions of soccer balls, shirts and jerseys made an impact on the lives of these children; a concern was brought to our attention that there wasn’t a soccer field or facility to safely use the equipment. Therefore, we have decided to do it again but in a much bigger way.


Throughout the past few months, by coordinating with City of Orlando Families, Parks and Recreation as well as Parramore Kids Zone (PKZ), Orlando City Soccer Foundation representatives have begun a journey towards creating a soccer complex for the children of Parramore.Through continuous communication via email and meetings between OCSF members and Orlando Families, the field options had been narrowed to four previously developed, but in need of refurbishing parks in the downtown area of Orlando. After visiting each park to get a better idea of the field conditions and surrounding environment a field location was chosen, Grand Avenue Park.

Grand Avenue Park is a popular haven for the youth of Parramore, located off of Parramore Avenue next to Grand Avenue Elementary School. Although a major renovation was completed in February of 2000 to create play areas and clean up the field space, the fields are in need of soccer specific equipment and structuring. The facility provides open space, picnic area with grills, ball fields, a playground with an additional tot lot and a parking lot for the park as well as the neighboring elementary school. Grand Avenue Park has a large open space that is highlighted with beautiful old pecan trees towards the north of the space we are looking to reconstruct into soccer fields (in picture above this space is currently the baseball fields).

Orlando City Soccer Foundation hopes to team up with the U.S. Soccer Foundation in pursuit of a grant for synthetic turf to be used at this facility. Representatives of the foundation will be attending a symposium held by the U.S. Soccer Foundation in April to gather ideas and stories from other soccer organizations across the country that have successfully completed similar projects.

No one should underestimate the power that soccer can play in this world. It is an international sport that crosses boundaries and touches lives all over the world. We hope to get several members within the Orlando Community to collaborate with OCSF on this project, together we have the potential to impact children’s lives for the better. Who knows, one of these kids may be playing right here for your Orlando City Lions one day!


If you’d like to learn more about the Orlando City Soccer Foundation or get involved with this project, be sure to check our Community Tab. OCSF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is dedicated to fulfilling the charitable objectives of the Orlando City Soccer Club by providing outreach programs, services and initiatives for individuals and organizations in need.
 

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