021821 SWB DIGITAL EDITION
18 x February 18 — March 3, 2021 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 For more information, call 407- 656-1304. n Give Kids The World Village reopens Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee reopened to “wish families” nearly 10 months from the day it closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. GKTW Village is an 89- acre nonprofit resort that provides transformative weeklong “wish” vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world at no cost. It has served more than 176,000 families since 1986. Since mid-March of 2020, the wishes of more than 6,000 critically ill children were postponed due to the closure. With safety as its No. 1 priority, GKTW Village is taking a thoughtful, phased approach to reopening, beginning with a limited number of families and gradually growing its occupancy over time. The decision to reopen was made with the full support of the Village’s longtime theme park partners, Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, and after careful consultation with the infectious disease experts at Nemours Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www. gktw.org. BUSINESS BRIEFS West Orange Chamber of Commerce representatives held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Roof Rejuvenate of Central Florida. 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. Orlando Health partnered with Heart of Florida United Way to implement a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In an ongoing effort to improve youth health and wellbeing, the program’s goal is to improve financial stability of qualified families by helping them claim the earned income tax credit. Orlando Health also pulled together a coalition of community organizations to expand the awareness of and access to the EITC to impact as many qualified residents as possible. For more information, visit www.hfuw.org/eitc or irs.gov. Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin will host A Taste of the Swan & Dolphin on Feb. 27 from 5:30-8 p.m. The all-inclusive dining event features 10 food stations, 22 photo courtesy of WOCC West Orange Chamber of Commerce ambassadors celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Roof Rejuvenate of Central Florida. beverage stations with more than 50 beverage options, live musical entertainment, physically distanced safety protocols, and seating to accommodate each party at their own table. Tickets are $110 for the event, with room packages available. One-night stay packages that include two event tickets start at $359. To make a room-package reservation, call 800-227-1500. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit foodandwineclassic.com. ª OFFERING TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS Brooke Parker, LMHC
American Legion held its fourth annual Challenge 22 Ruck Walk and Suicide Prevention, benefiting Project VetRelief, in Winter Garden. With the help of a team of volunteers, many of whom had no affiliation with American Legion or its family, the event alerted the community to the crisis facing the veteran community while having a ton of fun doing it. Between 220 and 275 walkers attended as well as an additional 150-200 people who weren’t able to participate in the walk. In addition to an in-person event, Challenge 22 offered a virtual option. And though it was the first year attempting to do virtual, via the power of social media, the event drew participants from around the U.S., including Puerto Rico, California and Oregon. Challenge 22 events are fundraisers to engage communities while raising money and awareness to the fact that 22 veterans per day commit suicide due to PTSD. Project VetRelief has been the primary beneficiary of all fundraising from the Challenge 22 events around the state. If interested in organizing a Challenge 22 event, email Kurt Gies at KurtGies@gmail.com. The events can be anything that engages the community to help others understand the plight veterans are facing from wounds suffered while serving. Susan G. Komen Florida will host a virtual More Than Pink Walk Orlando on March 6. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. via Komen’s More Than Pink Walk Orlando Facebook group — www.facebook.com/groups/ komenorlandowalk — and includes an opening ceremony with recognition for the survivors and thrivers who have faced a breast cancer diagnosis and important updates in the fight against the disease. Participants are encouraged to walk where they are. Deborah Hausman, the daughter, granddaughter and niece of three breast cancer survivors, will once again serve as chair. Matthew’s Hope will sponsor its inaugural Best Ball Golf Tournament at West Orange Country Club on April 5 at 1 p.m. Proceeds go toward caring for the homeless in the local community. The entry fee is $125 per player or $400 per foursome, and event and hole sponsorships are available. Sponsorship prices start at $100. Located at 3300 W. Orange Country Club Drive in Winter Garden, WOCC will also host Matthew’s Hope’s After Party Wine & Beer Walk on April 27 from 5:30- 8 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, includes a wine and bar walk, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, a silent auction, door prizes, a raffle and more. Tickets are $50. For more information, call 407-905-9500, email info@ matthewshopeministries.org or visit matthewshopeministries.org. Holy Family Catholic School’s boys varsity flag football team won the Catholic Youth Sports Championship. The game was played against Bishop Moore Catholic High School in challenging weather conditions of wind and rain. www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x February 18 — March 3, 2021 x 19 SOUTHWEST SPORTS compiled by Lauren Salinero The Lions came out victorious with a score of 12-6. The team was led by head coach Tom McAleavey, who has been coaching for five years. This is his first championship. The Lions are also grateful to first year assistant coach Tyler Knight. Daniel “Danny” Steele was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Now 22 years old, he has faced many obstacles growing up on the autism spectrum. Steele graduated from Olympia High School and the Orange County Public School Transition program for challenged young adults. During the three-year program, he worked at the University of Central Florida, The Ritz-Carlton/ JW Marriott, and Burlington retail stores. Six months ago, Steele approached his parents, Nadja Rivera and Jim Steele, with an interest in learning golf. He previously hadn’t shown an interest in participating in any sport. Steele has been receiving lessons from Tony Keeton at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge. Keeton has an autistic daughter and Olympia High School graduate Daniel “Danny” Steele, who lives with autism, takes a swing at golf lessons. has cultivated the patient ability to communicate with and encourage Steele. Steele is excelling at golf, a sport that requires fine motor skills, retention of a large amount of information, and patience to maintain a positive attitude. He practices twice a week, and his dream is to participate in the Special Olympics Golf Championship. Although we try to ensure that all information presented above is the most current, correct and dependable available, we do rely on others for the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest Orlando Bulletin and Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information presented here, nor does mentioning it constitute an endorsement. Sports information is welcome and may be mailed to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786; or emailed to Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ª Kudos to Holy Family Catholic School’s boys varsity flag football team for winning the Catholic Youth Sports Championship.
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18 x February 18 — March 3, 2021 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com<br />
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17<br />
For more information, call 407-<br />
656-1304.<br />
n Give Kids The World Village<br />
reopens<br />
Give Kids The World Village in<br />
Kissimmee reopened to “wish families”<br />
nearly 10 months from the day<br />
it closed due to the coronavirus<br />
pandemic. GKTW Village is an 89-<br />
acre nonprofit resort that provides<br />
transformative weeklong “wish” vacations<br />
to critically ill children and<br />
their families from around the world<br />
at no cost. It has served more than<br />
176,000 families since 1986. Since<br />
mid-March of 2020, the wishes of<br />
more than 6,000 critically ill children<br />
were postponed due to the closure.<br />
With safety as its No. 1 priority,<br />
GKTW Village is taking a thoughtful,<br />
phased approach to reopening,<br />
beginning with a limited number<br />
of families and gradually growing<br />
its occupancy over time. The decision<br />
to reopen was made with the<br />
full support of the Village’s longtime<br />
theme park partners, Walt Disney<br />
World Resort, Universal Orlando<br />
Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, and<br />
after careful consultation with the infectious<br />
disease experts at Nemours<br />
Children’s Hospital.<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
gktw.org.<br />
BUSINESS BRIEFS<br />
West Orange Chamber of<br />
Commerce representatives held<br />
a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the<br />
opening of Roof Rejuvenate of<br />
Central Florida. WOCC builds<br />
partnerships, strong businesses<br />
and commitment to the community<br />
by serving as the leading<br />
business advocate in Central<br />
Florida, facilitating opportunity to<br />
nearly 1,000 member businesses.<br />
For more information about<br />
WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit<br />
wochamber.com.<br />
Orlando Health partnered<br />
with Heart of Florida United Way<br />
to implement a grant from the U.S.<br />
Department of Health and Human<br />
Services. In an ongoing effort to<br />
improve youth health and wellbeing,<br />
the program’s goal is to improve<br />
financial stability of qualified<br />
families by helping them claim the<br />
earned income tax credit. Orlando<br />
Health also pulled together a<br />
coalition of community organizations<br />
to expand the awareness of<br />
and access to the EITC to impact<br />
as many qualified residents as possible.<br />
For more information, visit<br />
www.hfuw.org/eitc or irs.gov.<br />
Walt Disney World Swan &<br />
Dolphin will host A Taste of the<br />
Swan & Dolphin on Feb. 27 from<br />
5:30-8 p.m. The all-inclusive dining<br />
event features 10 food stations, 22<br />
photo courtesy of WOCC<br />
West Orange<br />
Chamber of<br />
Commerce<br />
ambassadors celebrate<br />
the ribbon-cutting of<br />
Roof Rejuvenate of<br />
Central Florida.<br />
beverage stations with more than<br />
50 beverage options, live musical<br />
entertainment, physically distanced<br />
safety protocols, and seating to<br />
accommodate each party at their<br />
own table. Tickets are $110 for the<br />
event, with room packages available.<br />
One-night stay packages<br />
that include two event tickets start<br />
at $359. To make a room-package<br />
reservation, call 800-227-1500.<br />
For more information about the<br />
event or to purchase tickets, visit<br />
foodandwineclassic.com. ª<br />
OFFERING TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS<br />
Brooke Parker, LMHC
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