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ORLANDO, Fla. – In the only joint venture between the Michigan and Alabama football teams before the VRBO Citrus Bowl, both programs met up at Fun Zone Orlando — a small amusement park with two roller coasters and a bevy of carnival-style rides – to spend time with 200 some kids.
While players from both schools took in some thrill rides, like a towering slingshot-type like you’d see at Cedar Point, they also made sure to spend time with the kids, taking them around the park to ride the rides, go go-kart racing or to feed the alligators on hand.
The morning was sponsored by Lift Orlando, and executive director Eddy Moratin shared more about the event, how the kids were selected, what the organization does and more.
“We’re a non-profit founded with that mission, to invest in the parents, the leaders, the adults that are role models for children in this community, as well as to invest in the community, itself, through infrastructure and non-profit programs,” Moratin said. “So we build a lot of real estate, housing, schools, parks, and have a lot of great programs for the community. But there’s nothing more impressive and exciting than watching parents invest in their own kids. So these are not random kids from the neighborhood. In fact, these families meet on a monthly basis to encourage each other to set goals, to find better jobs, to go back to school. We’ve had mothers go back and get bachelor’s degrees. These kids, each and every single one of them, earned the right to be here today by getting good grades, and every time they show up with good grades, the stadium gives the free tickets for the entire family to celebrate at the upcoming event.
“So this is a super special event every year, and the players always prove themselves to be gallant gentlemen with these families. The way they treat the kids, it’s just inspiring for the whole family to watch these young men who are being shaped by sports and competition into role models for the community. So we’re so thankful, really grateful for them taking the time to do this and make a really memorable day for the kids and all their families.”
You can check out more of the event via the enormous photo gallery below.
