New feature: Baldwin Park Talk

Greetings from Baldwin Park! My name is Susan Comisky, and I am the community director for this growing neighborhood. Each month I will let you know about some of the scheduled events and give a recap on those from the prior month. Baldwin Park has a lot to offer if you are looking for something to do.

In any part of the country, spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Central Florida is no different with the blooming trees, flowers and warming temperatures. This year, it seems like there wasn’t much of a spring if you take into consideration the temperatures, however, the warmer temperatures and lack of rainfall offers great weather for neighborhood gatherings.

Upcoming dates to include on your calendar are:

The Baldwin Park Merchants Association will debut its First Friday Charity Festival along New Broad Street in the heart of downtown Baldwin Park on May 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Baldwin Park merchants will be offering live music, drink specials, free samples, interactive activities and much more. This month’s event will benefit The Lost Pets Foundation.

The Third Annual Derby Jubilee and Auction is Saturday, May 5, at Eastside Bistro, 3461 E. Colonial Drive. A fun-filled evening celebrating all things Derby — a delicious meal, Kentucky Derby viewing, live music, dancing, a live auction, and most outrageous hat, most glamorous hat and most dapper dude contests. Visit doggiederby.com for more information.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 11, to noon on Saturday, May 12, at the Glenridge Middle School track. Visit realyforlife.org/baldwinparkfl to sign up to participate or donate.

The American Lung Association Fight for Air Run/Walk 2012 will be Saturday, May 12, at Harbor Park. Come make a commitment to fight lung disease and join in efforts for healthy air. Visit FightForAirRunWalkOrlando.org

Rounding out the month is the eighth Annual Orlando Triathlon on Sunday, May 20, at Lake Baldwin. Register at epicsportsmarketing.com/events/orlando-tri-baldwin-park

Several charity walks/runs occurred in April including the Run for Her Life with proceeds benefiting Samaritan Village, an Orlando based non-profit that is a transitional home for women. In addition, Central Florida Walk like MADD was held. The fun, community-driven 5K walk raised funds to emphasize the need for education and understanding of the results of drunk driving. The 2012 Great Strides 5K benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation had people enjoying the beautiful Lake Baldwin venue.

Another April event was the Annual Porch Sale. A community favorite with more than 200 residences participating, this year was no disappointment. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida picked up items not sold. Through this effort, 4,181 pounds of donations were collected to be sold in local retail stores, with the proceeds then used to fund vocational training for people in our community with barriers to employment. Based on averages, Goodwill has learned that it takes about 24 pounds of donations to provide services to one individual and the donations from this event will provide services to about 174 people in our local community. Giving back to others is what it is all about!

Rounding out the month was the fifth Annual Doggie Derby. The thoroughbreds in the Kentucky Derby don’t have anything on these canines! Fur was flying during the Derby event in Baldwin Park. Proceeds benefited Stock the Pantry Program, which provides food assistance to homeless students during spring and summer breaks. Enjoy the last bit of cooler temperatures before we move into the hot, dog days of summer and visit Baldwin Park soon.

Susan Comisky is the community director of Baldwin Park. You can reach her at [email protected]