West Orange Foundation receives donation … and more News & Business Briefs!

compiled by Lauren Salinero


Solar co-ops available

Orange County officially launched its second solar co-op. It’s doing one for east Orange County and one for west Orange County. Residents and businesses who live in municipalities can participate. The first solar co-op was the largest and most successful in Florida. Southwest resident and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was one of the residents who joined the solar co-op.

Solar power supports Mayor Jacobs’ goals in her Sustainability Initiative, “Our Home Life,” which seeks to reduce barriers to alternative energy and increase renewable energy production by 10 percent in 2020 and 25 percent by 2040. Solar co-ops provide bulk discounts of up to 20 percent for a group of homeowners interested in purchasing solar panels. As part of a solar co-op, each participant signs an individual contract with the group-chosen installer, and all participants benefit from the discount. All homeowners who reside in Orange County, including city jurisdictions, are eligible to participate in their respective co-op.

For more information or to register, visit www.solarunitedneighbors.org/florida.

West Orange Foundation receives donation

AT&T representatives present a $10,000 check to the West Orange Foundation for its West Orange Program for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs.

West Orange Foundation officials announced the foundation received a $10,000 donation from AT&T for the West Orange Program for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs through the AT&T Aspire program. The contribution is to support the six-month program that provides high school juniors with exposure to industry sectors, leadership skills development, teambuilding skills, job shadowing and business plan development, giving them a foundation of knowledge of types of businesses and careers they can pursue upon graduation. The primary mission of the WOPTE program is to raise awareness of youth regarding the west Orange County business community and all it has to offer.

For more information, visit wochamber.com.

A celebration of 45 years

Community Health Centers Inc. celebrated its 45-year anniversary with team members, special guests and founders. Nearly 500 team members gathered for a celebratory breakfast at SeaWorld’s Ports of Call to honor their history and accomplishments.

Community Health Centers currently has 12 centers throughout Central Florida and is the medical and dental home of more than 66,000 patients. During the event, 49 team members who have been with the organization for 15 years or more were recognized.

For more information, visit www.chcfl.org.

Big Orange Awards

West Orange Chamber of Commerce held its annual Big Orange Awards at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This year honored many of west Orange County’s most influential and inspirational leaders and organizations. Among those were Kurt Ardaman, Lifetime Director; David Billsborough, Sam Hovsepian Award; Jennifer Campbell, Mary VanDeventer “The Spirit of West Orange” Award; Chick-fil-A, George Bailey Award; Denise Fisher, Ambassador of the Year; Florida Hospital, Big Business Member of the Year; Rob Maphis, Chairman’s Award; Pammie’s Sammies, Small Business Member of the Year; Becky and Charlie Roper, Bert Roper Award; and Gary Shif, Danniel J. Petro “The Bright Future of West Orange” Award.

For more information, visit wochamber.com.

Ocoee honors black history

The city of Ocoee paid tribute to Black History Month with a proclamation recognizing the significance of black history as well as different events this month. The city’s Human Relations Diversity Board will announce the winners of the 14th annual Black History Month Essay contest during an awards ceremony Feb. 28 at city hall. Students will recite their winning essays, which address the theme “The Dream Starts with Me.” The event also will be televised live on Ocoee TV’s Channel 493 and streamed online at
www.ocoee.org/197/ocooe-tv.

The essay contest was open to fifth-grades who attend schools in Ocoee. Participating elementary schools included Citrus Elementary, Hope Charter, Maxey Elementary, Prairie Lake Elementary and Spring Lake Elementary schools.

Ocoee TV will also be airing programs that highlight significant people and events from African-American history.

For more information, call 407-905-3100.


BUSINESS BRIEFS


Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital hosted West Orange Chamber of Commerce’s January Business After Hours. Attendees enjoyed food and beverages as they built new connections at the chamber’s first BAH of 2018. During the event, Michael Waldrop of Blue Cord Design and Construction received the Chief Facilitator of Opportunity Award. For more information, visit wochamber.com.


The community of Del Webb Orlando opened new amenities for its residents. La Tapenade Tavern, located in the middle of the Mentecito Clubhouse, is now open. The subdivision also offers an indoor heated pool and spa, more than 45 clubs and classes, and the famous Del Webb lifestyle. For more information, call 866-671-3330 or visit delwebb.com/dwo.


CNS Healthcare is accepting patients for a research study of an investigational medication for Tourette‘s syndrome. Boys and girls ages 6-17 with Tourette’s syndrome may qualify for the T-Force Gold Study. Each child who qualifies receives study medications, study-related medical exams, and study-related laboratory tests at no cost. For more information, visit tforcegoldstudy.com.


Windermere Parks and Recreation, Animal Clinic of Windermere, and The Pet Loss Center will co-sponsor the Pet Fest on March 10 at Windermere Town Hall. The event will include a Doggie Fun Zone, Police K-9 demonstration, food trucks and live music; and admission is free. For more information, visit
windermereparksandrecreation.com. ♥