Thanks to an unsung charity hero

Linda Landman Gonzalez announced her retirement as vice-president of community relations and government affairs for the Orlando Magic. In addition, as the president of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Linda oversaw the distribution of millions of dollars to local charities each year.

I had the opportunity to work with Linda on multiple occasions, including the regional work on homelessness and most recently the creation of Project Opioid, and Linda represented everything that is right about Central Florida and the Orlando Magic. In an era that is dominated by endless political strife, ever increasing division and polarization, and what seems like the inability for leaders to work together, Linda always found a way to rise above these challenges to find real solutions on issues that impact everyday people. Linda’s leadership with the Magic, along with the support of Alex Martins, Charlie Freeman and the watchful eye of the DeVos family, allowed her to quietly rise above the culture wars to find ways to transform the lives of those in need in our community.

We salute Linda as she announces her retirement from the Orlando Magic. We know her presence will continue to felt in numerous charitable organizations she serves on, and in the legacy of transformed lives her work has done. Let us take a minute to applaud her, and appreciate how her commitment to the community helped make the Orlando Magic winners of so many in need off the court in Central Florida.

Andrae Bailey Orlando

Andrae Bailey is the founder and CEO of Change Everything and Project Opioid.