The Foundation that works with The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks
continues to change the lives of children in need throughout the tri-state areaTwelve $10,000 renewable college scholarships awarded each year
New York, NY (April 1, 2016) – The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization that works closely with The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and MSG Networks to help children in need, today announced this year’s recipients of Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarships. The program, now in its second year, awards twelve $10,000 renewable college scholarships each year to high school seniors from the Foundation’s partner organizations.
Garden of Dreams works with 25 partner organizations throughout the tri-state area – including hospitals, wish organizations and community-based organizations – to reach children who are facing obstacles such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation has utilized the magic of MSG and MSG Networks – including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Rockettes, famed showplaces, and two sports and entertainment networks – to bring joy and happiness to more than 275,000 children. The Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship program continues the Foundation’s extraordinary commitment to having a lasting positive impact on the children it serves. Last year’s recipients – the first “class” of the Inspire Scholarship Program – began their college careers last September at Penn State, NYU, Baruch, Hofstra and Fordham, among others.
“Our goal with Garden of Dreams is to change the lives of the children we work with,” said Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers goaltender and a spokesperson for The Garden of Dreams Foundation. “These Inspire Scholarship recipients have all overcome obstacles to become outstanding students and role models in their community. They are truly inspirations to all of us.”
2016 Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholars
| Student | GDF Partner Organization | Hometown |
| Bempa Ashia | Children’s Aid Society | Bronx, NY |
| Cesay Camera | Children’s Aid Society | Bronx, NY |
| Noelle Dadon | Hackensack University Medical Center | Fort Lee, NJ |
| Chassidy David | Madison Square Boys & Girls Club | Brooklyn, NY |
| Kelly Drake | Make-A-Wish NJ | Hillsborough, NJ |
| Brianna Fernandez | DEA Widows’ and Children’s Fund | Valley Stream, NY |
| Grace Franzese | Make-A-Wish Suffolk | Queens Village, NY |
| Joanna Fuentes | Children’s Aid Society | Bronx, NY |
| Philip Maehr | Cohen Children’s Medical Center | Greenlawn, NY |
| Ivelise Mandato | Hackensack University Medical Center | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ |
| Daniel Nachum | Hackensack University Medical Center | Tenafly, NJ |
| Ngawang Tseten | Children’s Aid Society | Staten Island, NY |
The Inspire Scholarships are renewable for up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, so the potential total value of a Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship is $40,000 – covering significant costs for the student’s entire time at college.
The Inspire Scholarships are part of the Garden of Dreams Giving program, which provides resources to its partner organizations to help them meet critical needs in their service to children. In addition to awarding scholarships, Garden of Dreams Giving also provides direct support of tangible, targeted community projects such as hospital refurbishments and community center refurbishments.
The Foundation also undertakes approximately 500 events each year to brighten the lives of children facing obstacles. Two of the Foundation’s largest annual events include the Garden of Dreams Talent Show, in which hundreds of children are given the opportunity to perform on the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall, and the Garden of Dreams Prom, which creates an unforgettable night for kids who otherwise would never get to experience this rite of passage.
Other initiatives led by MSG and MSG Networks include ongoing educational and career-oriented programs for high school students; hockey, basketball and dance skill programs in partnership with the Rangers, Knicks and Rockettes; and the opportunity to attend numerous games and events at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. The Foundation also conducts ongoing wish fulfillment; toy, coat and holiday drives; celebrity, athlete and coach clinics; and celebrations and gatherings at MSG venues or partner organizations.
For more information on Garden of Dreams, visit www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.org.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment with a portfolio of legendary sports teams, exclusive entertainment productions and celebrated venues. MSG Sports owns and operates some of the most widely recognized sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA), along with two development league teams — the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also presents a broad array of world-class sporting events, including: professional boxing, college basketball, tennis, bull riding and e-gaming events. MSG Entertainment features exclusive, original productions that include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and New York Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts a wide variety of live entertainment offerings, including concerts, family shows and special events, in the Company’s diverse collection of iconic venues. These venues are: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, California; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.