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View Full Version : Walt Disney World Pledges $12.5 million Toward the Orlando Performing Arts Center



Figment!
05-15-2007, 10:42 PM
Arts center to get $12.5M from Disney




By Scott Powers | Staff Writer
Orlando Sentinel
5/15/2007

Walt Disney World pledged $12.5 million Monday afternoon toward the proposed $389 million Orlando Performing Arts Center, putting heft behind the promise for help that new Disney President Meg Crofton offered to community leaders four months ago.

Crofton announced the donation at the Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando during festivities that included Mickey and Minnie Mouse, singers, dancers and fireworks.

"This is a dream that our region has been planning for quite some time," Crofton told the crowd, which included supporters of community-service organizations.
Crofton also announced donations to rehabilitate the amphitheater itself, and to support more than three dozen local charities in what Disney officials promoted as "Disney magic at the lake, bringing Disney dreams to our community."

Orlando's arts community and downtown players have been trying for more than a decade to rally support and raise money for the center. A deal last fall to set aside tourism tax money appears to have created momentum toward their goal of $100 million in private money.

In recent months, the center -- to be called the Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center -- received pledges of $25 million from Dr. Phillips Charities and $10 million from the Orlando Magic.

Disney World also provided details of the amphitheater's $1 million rehab -- sponsored by the company -- to update the location with a Lake Eola Fountain-inspired theme and new sound and lighting equipment.

Also announced were the recipients of the Disney's Helping Kids Shine Grant Awards.
The awards went to charity and community-service organizations grounded in one or more of four platforms for building better futures for children: connecting with adults, constructive use of free time, character development and compassion. Disney announced 38 grants, ranging from $2,100 for the Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition, to $60,000 for Kids House of Seminole.

The gifts included $52,500 for BETA Center; $47,000, Camp Boggy Creek; $42,000, Justice and Peace Office; $40,000, Office for Farmworker Ministry; $36,000, Florida Senior Programs -- Foster Grandparent Program; $31,700, Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools; $29,200, UCP of Central Florida; $23,900, American Red Cross of Central Florida; $22,700, Orlando Regional Healthcare Foundation -- The Howard Phillips Center; $21,700, MicheLee Puppets; $21,000, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly Inc. -- Polk; and $20,000 each, Jewish Family Services; Orlando Neighborhood Improvement; and Shepherd's Promise.