as doing something good for someone else on
June 12, 2017. Here in the Greater Orlando
Area, volunteers will be showing their love
and appreciation by doing good for others.
The One Orlando Alliance website (www.
oneorlandoalliance.org) has been designed
to link citizens with volunteer opportunities
within the community. Individuals or teams
can sign up to do something good which
benefits a nonprofit in the greater Central
Florida LGBTQ+ community and beyond. “We put them in Section 12, obviously because
we felt that was pertinent — it was June 12 last
year when the tragedy happened,” Rawlins
said while standing before the purple, blue,
green, yellow, orange and red rows. A stamp in
the center of each seat reads #OrlandoUnited.
“As we prepare for the anniversary of
Pulse, the world is working to honor and
remember the lives we lost,” said Orange
County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “Through
a day of love and kindness, dedicated
to the legacy of those who perished, we
will continue to cherish their memories.” And the onePULSE Foundation (www.
onepulsefoundation.org) is preparing to unveil plans for
establishing a permanent memorial at Pulse Nightclub
itself, and the establishment of a significant fund.
In addition to this day of celebration and
remembrance, more permanent memorials
have emerged. In March of this year,
Orlando City Stadium, downtown’s new
25,500-seat MLS soccer venue, was opened
with 49 rainbow-colored seats, honoring the
49 shooting victims. The seats are in section
12 of the Lions' new stadium, a prominent
location which will easily be recognized
by anyone who visits the venue. Those
seats have been sold to fans with season
tickets and should be occupied every game.
14
|
WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
|
JUNE 2017
“So they’re right here in Section 12, they’re
right down by the benches. They’ll certainly be
seen by everybody inside the stadium, and a
very significant reminder of that day,” he said.
The foundation’s goal is to create a sanctuary of
hope around this tragic day in American history
which honors the 49 lives that were taken, the
68 injured victims, and the first responders
and healthcare professionals who treated them.
This fund will support the construction and
maintenance of the memorial, community grants
to care for the survivors and victims’ families, an
educational program to promote amity among
all segments of society, endowed scholarships for
each of the 49 angels, and ultimately a museum
showcasing the historic artifacts and stories from
the event. All donations received will be used for the
construction of the official memorial and museum,
community grants and educational scholarships.