On Thurs., Sept. 18, the Orlando Magic and Magic guard Victor Oladipo surprised youth and representatives from the New Image Youth Center in Parramore with all new equipment including big screen TVs, video games and computers after most of these items were stolen earlier in the week. Pictured left to right: Magic Community Ambassador Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, City Commissioner Regina Hill, Magic guard Victor Oladipo with TVs before surprising the kids at the center. Photo taken by Gary Bassing.
It takes a community to undo the wicked acts of an individual (or two), and the Orlando Magic have taken that to heart this week. The New Image Youth Center, an after-school and summer program for at-risk youth living in downtown Orlando’s Parramore area, was robbed last Sunday. The thieves absconded with $6,000 worth of equipment, including computers, video games and televisions, putting the youth center even further behind the financial eight ball.
Enter Victor Oladipo, Nick Anderson, Bo Outlaw and the rest of the Orlando Magic community outreach program. On Thursday, Oladipo and company presented the New Image Youth Center with brand new equipment to replace that which had been stolen.
“To give back to the youth is what I am all about,” Oladipo said. “It’s tough they got all this stuff taken away from them and I am blessed and fortunate to be able to help and give it all back.”
“It touched a soft part of my heart,” he added. “I am here to show that I am just like them (the kids). We all are similar. I want them to know that we (the Magic) are here to help them.”
The New Image Youth Center, founded in 2004, could not have been more grateful for the contributions made by the Orlando Magic.
“We are so grateful,” said Shanta Barton-Stubbs, executive director and founder of the NIYC. “For them (the Magic) to not forget that we are here means the world. We represent them every day. We are very happy they have come back to help us.”
The Magic donated $10,000 worth of computer software, school supplies and books in 2008, some of which were stolen in Sunday’s robbery. They also helped refurbish the building with new plumbing, painting, furniture and computers.
Oladipo made it known that people in the Orlando area should get used to seeing him.
“To show the community we care and show them we are thinking about them is huge,” Oladipo said. “You’re going to see my face (in the community) a lot this year.”
If you’re interested in donating to the New Image Youth Center, visit their website: http://www.newimageyouth.org/
“I am so excited to be able to show them that that people from the community have come together to make it happen,” she added.