 |
It's A Celebration of the Islands… IT’S ALL OVERTOWN ALONZO MOURNING CELEBRATES MIAMI’S CULTURAL DIVERSITY WITH FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR OVERTOWN YOUTH CENTER Special musical performance by Tito Puente, Jr. MIAMI, Fl., - March 5, 2007 – NBA Champion Alonzo Mourning, along with his wife Tracy, will host the fourth annual fundraising event for the Overtown Youth Center (OYC) on Saturday, March 10, 2007. “A Celebration of the Islands…It’s All Overtown,” appropriately named for this year’s theme, celebrates the cultural diversity of Miami with a special musical performance by Tito Puente, Jr. The annual event is expected to generate over one million dollars that will go directly to benefit over 200 students that participate in various programs that the Center offers. The event begins at 7PM at the Overtown Youth Center. “It’s All Overtown” will showcase a culinary menu to reflect the Caribbean by some of South Florida's best restaurants and chefs, including Prime 112, Morton’s Steakhouse, Ortanique’s, and One Perfect Palette with Chef Richard Ingraham. A silent and live auction will feature one-of-a-kind experiences, including: a 5-day Carnival Cruise Lines Caribbean Getaway, a private chartered flight to New Jersey to play in Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout at the Trump National Golf Club, as well as tickets to the Broadway musical – The Color Purple. OYC is a prevention program dedicated to the enrichment and development of Overtown’s children by providing educational, cultural and recreational services. The facility was built in early 2002 by real estate developer Marty Z. Margulies, with Alonzo Mourning at the helm, ensuring that the center will be financially viable. In the past year, OYC has expanded its focus by providing services to parents in the community through the Parent Enrichment Program. With full-time staff dedicated to providing a variety of services to OYC parents, including weekly parent meetings, workshops, life skills classes, GED programming, assistance with daily living through courses in home ownership and finance management, OYC has been successful in attracting a steady stream of over 30 parents in the program. With services currently being provided to students between the 2nd through 11th grade, post-graduation has become a programming priority. During spring break, OYC staff will travel with 40 students to various college campuses throughout Florida, for the annual OYC Black College Tour. The center continues to provide in-school, after-school, and summer programming. Monies raised through this annual event allows OYC to continue to inspire, empower and enrich the lives of students and families that participate in Overtown. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased by calling 305.349.1204 ext. 222. The Overtown Youth Center is located at 450 NW 14th Street in Miami. Complimentary valet parking will be provided. Media is encouraged to attend. For more information, please call Lisa Joseph at 305.349.1204 ext. 228 or Nile Patrick at ext. 222. 4/19/2007 8/30/2005 Miami New Times – 5/14/04 The South Florida Business Journal – 2/4/04 |
