MIAMI ­— Students from the Overtown Youth Center in a Miami neighborhood used song and dance to take guests around the world and back at It’s All Overtown, “One Night…One World,” an annual fundraiser hosted by Alonzo and Tracy Wilson Mourning, patrons of the center.

More than 400 people gathered at Key Biscayne’s waterfront Rusty Pelican restaurant July 19 to show their support for the center, which Alonzo Mourning and real-estate developer Martin Z. Marguiles co-founded in 2003.

With WSVN television news anchor Belkys Nerey as mistress of ceremonies, guests were treated to a multicultural-themed night filled with delectable food, sizzling performances, a silent auction, personalized thank-you notes from the Mournings and a special performance by Grammy nominee Melanie Fiona.

OYC students did everything from serving as the band of the evening to performing well-coordinated dance numbers, strutting in elaborate costumes infused with Indian, African, Latin, Caribbean and American styles.

“It’s so great to see so many people out supporting,” Tracy Mourning said. “It’s amazing. Alonzo and I receive a lot of accolades for the work that we do but we truly know that it’s not by ourselves. It’s with our total community’s support and this is just a beautiful example of that.”

Kandisha Rodgers, an 18-year-old junior at Booker T. Washington High School in Overtown, who holds the title of OYC Queen, echoed that sentiment. She attended the center since she was in the second grade and said she was impressed with the dedication of the Mournings, OYC staff and supporters.

“Seeing all of these people put so much work into this event and donate so much money to OYC is wonderful. I feel like Alonzo and Tracy Mourning are the greatest people on earth,” Rodgers said.

Among the notable attendees were Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Children’s Trust CEO Modesty Abety and Miami-Dade County District 3 Commissioner Audrey Edmonson.

Photo: Belkys Nerey

Source

Nerey joined Miami Heat Legend Alonzo Mourning and his wife at the Rusty Pelican to help raise money for their Overtown Youth Center and the Mourning Charity Foundation.
The theme of the event was “One night One world,” encouraging diversity. “We came to this community 17 years ago, and we made an investment in these kids in this community, and we were going to bring people together to create an amazing atmosphere,” said Mourning.

The Overtown Youth Center was founded by Mourning in 2003.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Source

Source

“I’ve been living here 17 years, and I feel a sense of responsibility,” the NBA champ told NBC Miami.

Volunteers from all over the city helped unload boxes of food and iced tea. Each box comes with a complete Thanksgiving meal — including a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and a gallon of iced tea, all courtesy of Publix. UPS helped deliver the meals to the Overtown Youth Center, where they were handed out to deserving families by Mourning himself.

The former NBA center launched his “33 Thanksgivings” program 11 years ago — 33 for his old Heat jersey number. This Thanksgiving, he and his charity team provided 533 families with a hearty holiday meal. Mourning hopes he’ll his good deeds will inspire more this holiday season here in South Florida.

“Instead of pointing the finger, and waiting for someone else to do it, we’ve got to do it ourselves,” Mourning said.

Given the nation’s sluggish economy and tough job market, Mourning believes many South Floridians need to give back to their communities now more than ever.

“People have lost jobs, they’ve lost their homes, and a lot of them don’t know which way to turn,” he said. “So many of them rely on help from others, and that’s the only way we’re going to stimulate growth in our community, with help from others — other peoples’ contributions, other people’s time.”

Source
By Justin Finch

Thanksgiving came early for 33 families Monday night in Miami, thanks to former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning and his charity.

“If you have blessings, try to use those to bless others,” Mourning said.

  This is the 12th year Alonzo Mourning Charities has fed families in need. The lucky guests this year were from the Overtown Youth Center.

“All of the families are real excited,” guest and grandmother Loretta Ward said.

The families didn’t just have Thanksgiving dinner at Santa’s Enchanted Forest, but they got complete access to the park.

“It’s kind of hard to create that holiday feel with all of these palm tress and warm weather,” Mourning said.

That’s why he said the Miami spot is perfect for an early Thanksgiving dinner under the stars, or in the case, under thousands of Christmas lights.

Source
By Christina Hernandez |

Sitting in the large theatre at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami gave the children an opportunity to see the man they had heard and seen on television and know as “the first black president.”

Lydona Lewis couldn’t contain herself afterwards. Dressed in a blue Overtown Youth Center t-shirt, like the rest of the group, she excitedly grabbed the chance to tell about her experience.

“It was so cool!” Lydona, 11, of Miami, exclaimed with a big grin. “It was the greatest!”

Keno Tate, 13, was also beaming with excitement, after displaying his youth center’s t-shirt for the cameras. “It was nice – fun and exciting. I really enjoyed it,” he said.

Tina Brown, the center’s interim executive director, credits Mourning for the opportunity the children had to see and hear their president in person. Mourning was on the stage Monday night rallying the crowd to support Obama in his bid to remain president. Last fall, the ardent Obama supporter hosted a pricey fundraiser at his Miami mansion, raising more than $1 million for the campaign.

Dynasty Hopkins, 12, got the message.
“Obama needs to be re-elected,” she said. “I think he can make a change.”

That was the basic message of the two-hour major fundraising program.

“There are some of you who probably have felt at times during the last two and a half years, gosh, why isn’t this happening faster? Why isn’t this easier? Why are we struggling? And why didn’t health care get done quicker? And why didn’t we get the public option? I know the conversation you guys are having,” Obama told the gathering.

“There have been frustrations and I’ve got some things to show for it over the last two and half years. But I never said this