Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

OCPS wins big

Orange County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services took home more awards than any other school district in the state at the Florida School Nutrition Association annual conference. The awards include the United States Department of Agriculture “Best Practice: Creative Utilization of Commodities” award given to Patrick McCarty, Kern Halls and Diane Santoro, all senior managers for OCPS Food & Nutrition Services. Pictured left to right are Patrick McCarty, Diane Santoro, senior managers OCPS FNS, Lanna Kirk, regional director for Special Nutrition Programs for USDA, and Kern Halls, senior manager OCPS FNS.

Easter Seals celebrates

Volunteers and donors are the backbone of Easter Seals Florida’s success. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, they recognized people in the group with a Donor and Volunteer Reception at the Historic Ballroom at Dubsdread. During the reception, the 2010-11 Child Ambassador Daniel was thanked for representing the organization during the past year and he then passed the torch to the incoming 2011-12 Child Ambassador Matthew, a 14-year-old boy with Down syndrome who attends Easter Seals Camp Challenge in Sorrento. President and CEO Sue Ventura was on hand to thank supporters. Also recognized by Easter Seals Florida were Day Break at the Miller Center volunteer of the year Elizabeth Restrepo; Camp Challenge volunteer of the year Leslie Wilber; Altrusa House in Gainesville volunteer of the year Ray Jones; and overall volunteer of the year Jan Hussein.

Sullivan works to end hunger

In a ceremony at the Share Our Strength’s Conference of Leaders, Bill Sullivan of Orlando was honored for his exceptional commitment to ending childhood hunger in America. Sullivan was named the 2011 Taste of the Nation Leader of the Year. He has been an instrumental part of Taste of the Nation Orlando for 22 years and is now a driving force of the successful culinary event, which has raised more than $2.5 million dollars during his tenure to support programs that seek to end childhood hunger in the Central Florida community.

PAM donates 100 DVDs

PAMCares completed its donation to the Maitland Fire Department of 50 DVDs of the recent live Maitland Stage Band's show at the Maitland Rotary Art Festival, Art Under the Stars. This completes Performing Arts of Maitland's promise to the chief to provide 50 MSB and 50 Maitland Symphony Orchestra DVDs to donate to participants of the new safety visit program.

Law for business people

The Orange County Bar Association will inaugurate a new program, Leadership Law 2012, in January 2012. A law-focused education experience for business and community leaders, Leadership Law will explore issues within the judicial system that influence business and business decisions. Leadership Law will meet monthly from January through May 2012. The program fee is $300. Applications are being accepted through Dec. 10. To apply online, go to LeadershipLaw.OrangeCountyBar.org, or visit the Orange County Bar Association at OrangeCountyBar.org.

Posters for sale

The Chamber is selling 38th annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival posters for $15 each. In addition, there are T-shirts (regular, ladies and kids), men's Izod polo shirts, tote bags, hats and note cards. Contact Andrea Hall at 407-644-8281 or [email protected] for details.

Fill a wallet for a senior

Seniors First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping senior citizens remain living independently in their homes, has launched its holiday gift drive: “Fill a Wallet for a Senior.” The organization hopes that through this drive, each of its 2,500 clients will receive a gift to brighten their holiday season. To donate, purchase a wallet and include $10 cash or a gift card. You may also make a $20 donation and the wallet will be provided. The drive runs until Dec. 1. For details, email [email protected] or visit seniorsfirstinc.org

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