Garden of Dreams Foundation Launches Inspire Scholarship Program

The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization that works closely with The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) to help children in need, has launched the Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship program, which will award twelve $10,000 renewable college scholarships each year to high school seniors from the Foundation's partner organizations. The first recipients of these new scholarships were announced today.

Garden of Dreams partners 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 worked closely with all parts of MSG - including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks - to bring joy and happiness to more than 250,000 children associated with their partner organizations. The Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship program continues the Foundation's extraordinary commitment to having a lasting positive impact on the children it serves.

"Our goal with Garden of Dreams is to truly change the lives of the children we work with, which is why we are so proud to launch this new scholarship program," said Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers goaltender and a spokesperson for The Garden of Dreams Foundation. "Our first 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."

2015 Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholars

Student GDF Partner Organization Hometown

Alana Cowan Children's Aid Society Brooklyn, NY

Toddara Galimore Children's Aid Society Queens Village, NY

Nyuma Gumaneh Children's Aid Society Bronx, NY

Terry Fontanillas WHEDco Bronx, NY

K'Von Jones Sunrise Day Camp Baldwin, NY

Erin Lisbey WHEDco New York, NY

Johileny Meran NYC Dept of Homeless Services Brooklyn, NY

Luz Negron Madison Square Boys & Girls Club Bronx, NY

Gabrielle Piela Starlight Children's Foundation Glen Rock, NJ

Brian Polanco Children's Aid Society Bronx, NY

Austin Van Schaick SCO Family of Services Baldwin, NY

Zachary Wisz Hackensack U. Medical Center Garfield, NJ

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 Garden of Dreams Foundation also undertakes a staggering number of annual events to brighten the lives of children facing obstacles, with nearly 500 events taking place over the past year. Two of the Foundation's largest annual events include the Garden of Dreams Talent Show, which culminates in hundreds of children delivering unforgettable performances 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 include ongoing educational and career-oriented programs targeting 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 conducts ongoing wish fulfillment; toy, coat and holiday drives; celebrity, athlete and coach clinics; and celebrations and gatherings at MSG venues or partner organizations. In addition to the scholarships, Garden of Dreams also provides direct support of tangible, targeted community projects such as hospital refurbishments and community center refurbishments.