compiled by Lauren Salinero
Dr. Phillips family needs help
A Dr. Phillips family had their lives forever changed when Emily Nelson was shot four times outside her family’s apartment June 11. Emily is a 16-year-old student at Dr. Phillips High School. As a result of Emily’s injuries, her mother, Andrea, will be unable to resume work as a caregiver at The Russell Home for Atypical Children. Emily, who lives with her mom and three younger siblings, will require ongoing care and rehabilitation.
Employees of The Russell Home have set up a GoFundMe page in Emily’s name to raise money for bills associated with her care and the household living expenses. Those who wish to contribute can visit www.gofundme.com/help-andrea-with-emilys-care.
Political Alliance officials announce 2017 board of directors
The West Orange Political Alliance, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates as a political committee recognized by the Florida Division of Elections, announced the slate for its 2017 board of directors.
The organization, led by Chairman Jeff Milhausen, named its new vice president, Camille Evans, and secretary, Nick Asma. Craig Swygert joined as the board’s newest sponsor member. Other members are Kurt Ardaman, Austin Arthur, Melanie Becker, David Billsborough, Derek Blakeslee, Debbie Clements, Mark Griffith, Jeff Jonasen, Gerald Jowers, Randy June, Tim Keating, Gary Merideth, Charles Roper, Adrianna Sekula, Michelle Strenth, Beth Thibodaux, and ex-officio members Joe Alarie and Stina D’Uva.
HFUW holds Day of Action
A member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida’s Walt Disney World branch picks out five books to take home during Heart of Florida United Way’s Day of Action.
Heart of Florida United Way sponsored its ninth annual Day of Action, a communitywide volunteering event aimed at providing local children in low-income households with books to read during the summer months. This initiative hopes to prevent the “summer slide,” which is the loss of reading proficiency while students are out of the classroom.
More than 100 United Way volunteers sorted through book donations and participated in projects, including reading aloud to children and playing word games. As part of the event, children received books, a book bag and journal. Last year, HFUW distributed more than 20,000 books to 2,300 children in Central Florida.
Girl Scouts donate cookies to Give Kids The World Village
Girl Scouts of Citrus Council donated more than 620 cases of Girl Scout cookies to Give Kids The World Village, which makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The cookies will be distributed to the families and children. Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre nonprofit “storybook” resort that provides magical, weeklong, cost-free vacations when a qualifying child’s wish is to visit Central Florida’s theme parks and
attractions.
List of unclaimed checks
The Orange County Clerk of Courts office may have money for some residents, businesses or organizations in the form of a check. Unclaimed checks are listed at www.myorangeclerk.com.
If a resident sees his/her name on the list, they have until Sept. 1, 2017, to claim the money. Listed checks are those that were mailed but never cashed. For more information or to claim a check, call 407-836-2000.
Scholarship deadline approaching
Applications are being accepted for the Rich Salick Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for dialysis and transplant patients, as well as living donors, to pursue post-secondary education. Applications must be submitted by Friday, July 28, 2017.
For more information or to apply for a scholarship, visit nkfsurf.com/scholarship.
Free back-to-school physicals for uninsured
Back-to-school physicals are a summertime ritual for school-aged children and their families; however, for the estimated 27,000 children in Orange and Seminole counties who are uninsured, this annual rite of passage can be out of reach. For the fourth consecutive year, Shepherd’s Hope, in partnership with Nemours Children’s Health System, is offering free back-to-school physicals and other medical services for local uninsured and underinsured families at three locations between July 31 and Aug. 10.
Physicals will be offered at Longwood Shepherd’s Hope Health Center, 600 N. U.S. Highway 17-92, Suite 124, Longwood; Downtown Shepherd’s Hope Health Center, 101 S. Westmoreland Drive, Orlando; and Dr. Diebel Jr. Memorial Shepherd’s Hope Health Center, 9833 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Appointments can be made by calling 407-876-6699, ext. 243.
Children’s Home Society of Florida receives accreditation
Children’s Home Society of Florida, based in Orlando, achieved national accreditation from the Council of Accreditation. The nonprofit, peer-driven COA seeks to improve delivery outcomes by accrediting organizations that demonstrate best-practice standards in the field of human services.
CHS has continually earned this distinct honor since 1982. It is among less than 20 percent of organizations nationwide to achieve full or substantial implementation ratings for all of COA’s accreditation standards relevant to the organization. The standards are intended to ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented and provided by a skilled and supported workforce.
For more information, visit www.chsfl.org.
Harbor House needs donations
School is out for summer, but that doesn’t mean domestic violence takes a break. Many moms in abusive relationships decide to get out during the summer, when their children are out of school. While many people are taking vacations and enjoying lazy days by the pool, these brave moms are strategically planning to escape at the time that will disrupt their children’s schedules the least. This means that Harbor House’s emergency shelter stays are at or near capacity, and supplies are used up as quickly as they come in. Help is needed by either a monetary donation or item donation of baby wipes, socks, baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, onesies, bibs, pull-ups, underwear and coloring books.
To donate, call 407-703-2866 or email donate@harborhousefl.com. For more information about Harbor House, visit www.harborhousefl.com. If needed, Harbor House’s 24-hour crisis hotline is 407-886-2856.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
West Orange Chamber of Commerce members celebrate the opening of Take 5 Oil Change.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce representatives held a ribbon-cutting for Take 5 Oil Change in Winter Garden. WOCC builds partnerships, strong businesses and commitment to the community by serving as the leading business advocate in Central Florida, facilitating opportunity to nearly 1,000 member businesses. For more information about WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit wochamber.com.
Windermere resident and Realtor Suzi Karr joins Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.
Suzi Karr, a Windermere resident for more than 40 years, became part of the team at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Southwest Orlando office. Karr is often referred to as the “Queen of Windermere.” She previously owned and operated Suzi Karr Realty, one of the most successful real estate firms in Windermere, and was chosen as the No. 1 Realtor by her peers in 2016. Karr is also a well-respected member of the real estate community. For more information, visit suzikarr.premiersothebysrealty.com. ♥