This past Saturday, Matt Luzunaris paid a visit to the North Orange Library Open House event.  I caught up with him today about how the event went, and why helping the community means so much to him.

Why do you personally participate in these kinds of events?

I participate in these events because our youth is so important to our future, and to me personally! Some kids are not as fortunate to come out to our games and meet the players and coaches so it is always a great honor to take the time to go to them and show them that I and Orlando City care about them.

Is reading/literacy a special cause for you?  Are there any causes you'd like to be more involved in?

I would obviously like to do more private reading. I was never the one to sit down and read a book, especially growing up in sunny Florida. But I think it is so important to children to read and comprehend the things they are reading. It can teach them a lot about everyday life, obviously depending on what they are reading.

Orlando City is very community-focused.  Was this focus are reason you signed with Orlando City?

For the people who know me, and the people I surround myself with, they would all tell you how important it is for me to be one with the community. As some people know my fiance and I have a children's foundation called "The Austen Everett Foundation" which specializes in professional and collegiate sports partnering up with local children's hospitals, and setting up meet and greets with the children and their families who are unable to leave the hospital, and for those who are healthy enough to be able to attend games and go "behind the scenes" and be part of the team for the day. Being able to work my foundation into the club is a reason why I signed with Orlando City.