Lakeland Magic Host Second Annual Day of Service on October 26

VOLUNTEERING AT 7 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS POLK AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WITH EMPLOYEES FROM LAKELAND ELECTRIC, SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, GEICO AND MORE.

On October 26, the Lakeland Magic gave back to the community by volunteering at seven different locations across Polk County on the same day. Volunteers included Lakeland Magic staff, employees from Geico and Lakeland Electric as well as students from Southeastern University.

The organization focuses on five core pillars and each project supported a different area of focus.

• Homelessness | Habitat for Humanity | East Polk/Lakeland
• Hunger | kidsPACK & Florida Baptist Children’s Home | Lakeland
• Health/Fitness | Youth Basketball Clinic at Kelly Recreation | Lakeland
• Education/Literacy | Reading Corner at Boys and Girls Club | Haines City
• Youth Basketball | Basketball Distribution | Lakeland, Plant City, Brandon and Tampa

https://youtu.be/Z4A6pu6yE_g

Part of the team started off the day in Haines City installing a new Reading Corner for the Boys and Girls Club. The team worked to decorate the space by providing wall décor, furniture and books for children to utilize while on-site.

Additional team members were across town helping to build homes at two different Habitat locations. The first location in Auburndale, FL and the second in Lakeland, FL. This is the third year the Lakeland Magic have been involved with Habitat for Humanity and worked on seven homes since the teams inception in 2017.

“As an organization, homelessness is a key area of focus and we are honored to be able to assist with providing a home for those striving to improve their lives and set a good example for others.” said Lakeland Magic President, Shelly Wilkes.

Others assisted the kidsPACK organization in Lakeland by packaging meals for children across the Polk County community. The kidsPACK organization works with the school board to identify students that have a shortage of food due to their financial situation at home. They turn an everyday backpack into a food source and provide meals to ensure students receive the nutrition they need while away from school. Additionally, the group of volunteers at Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Lakeland, FL helped unpack food and package meals. The organization works to provide for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

Additional volunteers helped administer a free clinic at Kelly Recreational Center with the help of the National Basketball Academy. Each child in attendance had the chance to improve their skills in a fun and competitive setting while encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. Each participant walked away with a free Magic basketball upon completion of the clinic.

A separate group of volunteers surprised a number of local youth basketball recreation centers by delivering 500 free basketballs to numerous locations across Polk and Hillsborough Counties.

When asked about the day Wilkes said, “We were overwhelmed by the number of volunteers and interest received this year. We look forward to continuing to grow our annual Day of Service and are grateful to provide fans and those in the community with an avenue to help give back.”