- March 28, 2024
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Summer is almost behind us and soon the big yellow school buses will be back on the road. This summer kids could be found doing all sorts of activities from nature camp at Mead Botanical Garden, to playing chocolatier for the day at Peterbrooke Chocolatier on Park Avenue. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosted two sessions of its popular Youth Leaders program. The program is designed to help students develop new leadership skills and expose them to opportunities for leadership within our community. Each session nominated an Outstanding Youth Leader (male and female) that exemplified leadership skills. Congratulations to June’s recipients, Reagan Spence and Robert Van Valkenburgh, and July’s recipients, Alex Boucher and Elena Gamboa. All four students attend Winter Park High School – go ’Cats!
Before students head back to class, be sure to mark your calendar for a few key events happening this month. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host a new event, the Business Showcase and Member Mixer presented by CenturyLink. Held at the Orlando Science Center on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m., the event will allow attendees not only to put a face with the names of 45 local businesses during the showcase, but also will help them connect with business executives and learn from local experts. The event is free, open to the public and includes catering by 4 Rivers Smokehouse.
As families prepare for the first day of school, the state of Florida will host a Back-to-School Tax Holiday from Friday, Aug. 5, through Sunday, Aug. 7. This is the perfect time to pick up school supplies, as well as clothing, shoes and accessories. If you don’t have a student at home, consider stocking up on supplies for your office, or donating items in need to local supply drives. The Winter Park Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce is a Back-to-School Drive collection site for A Gift For Teaching. Supplies can be dropped off from Aug. 1 to 12. A representative will be available on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Good Morning Winter Park program to accept all supplies and any financial donations for the cause. Learn more about the top five needed supplies at agiftforteaching.org.
Whatever your motive may be, make the most of your back-to-school shopping and spend your dollars locally. Studies have shown that money spent at local independent businesses generates a greater return in secondary spending than money spent at national chain stores. For a list of local businesses, search the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce membership directory online at winterpark.org, or call 407-644-8281. To find out what’s exempt during the tax holiday, visit myflorida.com/dor