Magic honor Purple Heart recipient

WHAT: The Orlando Magic honored Staff Sgt. William Castillo at halftime of the Magic vs. the New Jersey Nets game on February 8. Castillo enlisted in the United States Army in 2003 after being motivated by the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Sgt. Castillo carried out his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2005 and re-enlisted and returned for a second tour in 2007. On April 27, 2007, while on a mission to rescue marines, Castillo’s vehicle was struck by an IED, leaving him with five gunshot wounds and a severed leg. As the lone survivor of the attack, Castillo was honored with the Purple Heart during a ceremony on June 29, 2007 in Washington, DC. Castillo, who now resides in Florida with his wife and four children, was surprised at halftime with the news that he will be a homeowner soon due to the generosity of the Windermere Country Club Foundation of Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with Building Homes for Heroes, as they will be raising money in the coming months to build a home for the war hero and his family. For more information, visit www.ahomeforahero.org.

WHEN: Sunday, February 8, 2009. Halftime of the game vs. the New Jersey Nets; tip-off – 6 p.m.

WHERE: Amway Arena

About The Orlando Magic

Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won three division championships (1995, 1996, 2008), had four 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 4,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 19 years nearly $14 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via The Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF) that serve at risk and disadvantaged youth. Ticket highlights for 2008-09 include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

Through the National Basketball Association’s NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the new downtown Events Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in October 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community.