FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Laura Bornfreund (407) 246-3423

MAYOR BUDDY DYER KICKS-OFF ONE GREAT DAY FOR DOWNTOWN ORLANDO WITH 1,200 STUDENTS

Students Participate in Meaningful Community Service Projects
Benefiting Downtown Orlando

Orlando, FL. (October 19, 2005) – More than 1,200 local students from nine downtown schools are participating in the third annual One Great Day for Downtown Orlando, a community service day on Friday, October 21, 2005. Students from first to 12th grade will gather at Heritage Square for a kick-off rally with Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“One Great Day is a unique opportunity for our Downtown students to collaborate on community service projects, helping those in need,” said Mayor Dyer. “I commend these young citizens for their acts of kindness that benefit the entire downtown community.”

One Great Day for Downtown Orlando is coordinated and supported by the Consortium of Downtown Orlando Schools, an organization comprised of Downtown principals. The day is dedicated to serving the Downtown community. Students will deliver food items and personal care items to social service agencies, clean and sweep public areas, and weed and mulch landscaped areas in public parks.

The kick-off rally begins at 9:00 a.m. with welcoming remarks from Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Magic mascot, Stuff, greeting the students, and entertainment by Howard Middle School’s chorus.

The Consortium of Downtown Orlando Schools includes The Christ School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Howard Middle School, Lake Highland Predatory School, Nap Ford Community School, The New School, PACE, St. James Cathedral School, and Trinity Lutheran School. These schools represent a varied, socio-economic status and include public, private, parochial, magnet and charter schools. It was formed in 2002 to establish an environment in which innovative, high-quality education is encouraged and to ensure that our central City neighborhood educational institutions are recognized for their excellence.

For more information about One Great Day for Downtown Orlando please contact Daisy Staniszkis, Assistant Director, Downtown Development Board at (407) 246-3625 or visit www.downtownorlando.com.

# # #