Florida Citrus Sports Partners With College Football Playoff to Support Education In Orlando Citrus Bowl Neighborhoods
Florida Citrus Sports announced a partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation that will result in the funding of classroom project requests for public schools in the neighborhoods surrounding the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Orlando is the sixth city to partner with the CFP Foundation’s first city outside of the “New Year’s Six” bowl host cities to partner with the CFP Foundation.
“The remarkable neighborhood development work that Florida Citrus Sports is doing with LIFT Orlando stands out as a great example of how college football can make a significant positive impact,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the CFP Foundation. “We are so grateful to have a partner that shares our belief that great teachers make great communities.”
The classroom effort provides new support for FCSports’ commitment to Orlando residents in the immediate vicinity of the Citrus Bowl. In 2013, FCSports helped found LIFT Orlando, an initiative to break the cycle of poverty in one of Orlando’s most at-risk communities through collaboration between residents and business leaders.
DonorsChoose.org is a national organization that allows people to assist with classroom projects that are listed by teachers. Through the College Football Playoff and DonorsChoose.org partnership which began in August 2014, the CFP Foundation has provided direct financial support and assistance to teachers, one of the four pillars associated with the primary philanthropic initiative of the CFP Foundation, Extra Yard for Teachers.
In Orlando, the CFP Foundation has pledged $25,000 to the cause, a figure that has been matched by FCSports. The public is encouraged to join the CFP Foundation and FCSports in increasing the amount beyond the initial $50,000 through individual donations. Classroom project requests are currently listed on www.DonorsChoose.org/floridacitrussports.
“The Extra Yard for Teachers Program will be a huge catalyst for educational programs in Orlando,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports and LIFT Orlando board member. “It’s another example of how we can use the Citrus Bowl as a ‘beating heart’ to power the surrounding neighborhoods and give our next generation the resources they need to excel. Florida Citrus Sports is proud to partner with the College Football Playoff Foundation to change lives in our community.”