CENTRAL FLORIDA VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK FOUNDATION TO SHOWCASE MEMORIAL AND VA HOSPITAL MODEL AT CENTRAL FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW NOVEMBER 25-28
ORLANDO, Fla. – (October 29, 2010) The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. (CFVMPF) announced today a collaboration with the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association (CFADA) to raise awareness for the Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park at Lake Nona. To raise awareness of the need for funding, a scale model of the proposed memorial park and VA hospital will be on display at the upcoming Central Florida International Auto Show from Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday, November 28, at the Orange County Convention Center.
“The foundation’s goal is to create a lasting memorial to those in the six county region of Central Florida who answered our country’s call to duty and never came home,” said CFVMPF President Jerry Pierce. “To accomplish this goal, we need to expose as many residents, including the more than 400,000 veterans in Central Florida, to the project and having a display at the popular Central Florida International Auto Show will certainly help. We are most grateful to the CFADA for this opportunity.”
Once complete, the permanent memorial will be located next to the new VA Hospital, near UCF Medical Center and will honor the approximately 1,100 soldiers who left the six county region of Central Florida that encompasses Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties and never returned. The capital campaign was recently given a grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to retain contract staff and fund raising counsel.
“If there was ever a right time to do the right thing for those who fought and died for our freedom, it is now,” said CFADA Executive Vice President Barbara Miller. “Our dealers are honored to be a part of this effort to remember and honor the fallen. In addition to the exposure we will provide the project at the auto show, many of our local dealers will also encourage support for the memorial in their ongoing individual advertising efforts.”
The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS and registered with the state of Florida under the Solicitation of Contributions Act to seek gifts and grants from corporations, foundations and residents throughout Central Florida and in some cases nationally. More information is available at www.CFVMPF.org.
The Central Florida International Auto Show is presented by the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association, Inc., sponsored by The Orlando Sentinel and produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC, the nation’s largest auto show producer and part of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. The auto show will be open to the public Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday, November 28, at the Orange County Convention Center, located at 9800 International Drive, in Orlando. Parking is available in the convention center lots. The auto show is pleased to offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the convention center parking lots during all show hours.
Show hours are: Thursday, from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission to the event is $9 for adults, $5 for military with ID, seniors, students with ID and $3 for children ages 7-12. Children ages six and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Save time and money by purchasing E-tickets at www.AutoShowOrlando.com and receive a $2 discount off regular adult admission. Attendees will receive a free one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine with each online ticket order or box office purchase. Additional information is available at www.AutoShowOrlando.com.
