Photo: Tom Benitez, Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla.— Midway through the 2013 USL PRO season, Orlando City SC players have volunteered more than 400 hours of their own time for charitable causes around the Central Florida area, the club announced Friday. The figure re-enforces Orlando’s commitment to making an impact in the Central Florida area both on, and off, the pitch.

The Lions have been a part of such initiatives as Orange County library readings, Special Olympics, food banks, healthy living initiatives, camps and more since the start of organized team activities in February. Players has also been teaching hour-long classes in Sorrento, Fla., to Camp Challenge campers- a of Easter Seals.

The club also promotes ‘Player Causes’ – which are individual initiatives taken on by players who want to make even more of a difference in the local community. Some of those Player Causes include: Midfielders Jamie Watson (Easter Seals) and Jean Alexandre (Jean-Marc Alexandre Football Academy), Defenders Erik Ustruck (Reduce Obesity in Central Florida Kids) and Rob Valentino (To Be Kind), Forward Dennis Chin (New Image Youth Center), and Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo (Children’s Home Society of Central Florida).

“Being a professional soccer player for Orlando City, I know my life has been extremely blessed,” said Watson. “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. With Easter Seals, I am dedicating myself to spend time with these amazing children and adults, and to help however I can.”

For more information on the community initiatives Orlando City takes part in and the club’s Player Causes, please visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com.