hope

3rd Annual Toys for Hope at Windermere Prep

Toys for Hope 2017 is Here!

December 4th-15th

We are kicking off the 3rd Annual Toys for Hope donation drive once again at Windermere Prep.  We are so happy to have Windermere Prep onboard as a partner again this year as the place to drop off brand new toys for children in need.

All toys donated will be giving to Matthew’s Hope in Winter Garden who will provide them to families in their program who are homeless or at risk.

New Toy Drop Off

Drop off for the toys will be at the lower school offices on Windermere Prep’s property.  Windermere Prep is located at:

6189 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786

Last Year’s Toys for Hope video 

For more information you can contact me at 407-850-8269

valerian

Efforts to Turn Lake Valerian into a Place for Community

With 920 homes in Sand Lake Hills, there is no park or common area within 5-6 miles for people to meet and connect with their neighbors.

Common areas are great places for parents to meet parents and for kids to play and make friends.  Inside the Sand Lake Hills area is a large piece of property dedicated to Orange County as a retention pond.  It is legally known as Lake Valerian.  However, only a sliver of this beautiful property is being used by the county maintenance crews.  The rest of it is wooded with gorgeous mature trees and open spaces.

View Lake Valerian

I have been on a mission to uncover who owns the property and advocating its use to be for the large amount of people living here to enjoy.

This morning I had the opportunity to meet with Betsy Vanderley, our Orange County Commissioner, to discuss the use of the land in hopes that we can turn this into something positive for the community.

It was a pleasure to meet Betsy and discuss these ideas, and it was great to find out that she and I both share a passion for strong and thriving communities.  I am looking forward to what we both can accomplish together.

Neighborhood Trunk or Treat

Thank you to all who came out to our neighborhood Trunk or Treat on Saturday!  What a great time meeting so many new people and watching all the kids have a blast collecting candy and playing games.

Here’s a video from the event!

holiday-wine-fundraiser

Holiday Wine Fundraiser at The Vineyard

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Holiday Wine Fundraiser on December 15th at the Vineyard in Orlando!  Because of you we were able to put a dent in the funds needed to cover the costs of the Firm Foundation Preschool!

Here’s a video from the evening