June 21 2023 Meeting - Horizon West Rotary - UCP of Central Florida
HAPPY DOLLARS
Happy dollars always kick us off on a positive note as members and guests share something they are currently happy about! Today $72 was collected and our minimum donation of $100 will go towards our featured non-profit of UCP of Central Florida.
JUNE 21ST GUEST SPEAKER - NANCY MIRELES WITH UCP OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Unlocking Children's Potential
Nancy Mireles shared with us how UCP unlock's children's potential. Through the services provided by UCP, the dedication of their Team Members, and the hard work of their children and families, they’ve seen children overcome incredible hurdles.
UCP's mission is to empower children with and without disabilities to achieve their potential by providing individualized support, education and therapy services in an inclusive environment.
HISTORY & OFFERINGS
- The Central Florida branch started in 1955 to help families with children who had cerebral palsy with support and therapy that didn't exist in our community.
- In the 80s they expanded to help children with all disabilities with a new campus.
- They've grown through the years to support more areas of Central Florida Public with tuition-free OCPS Charter School offerings for
education, support and therapy - details of each are in the slides shown above.
- Now working to merge with the BETA Center to incorporate a full inclusion-based program.
UCP's Volunteer HERO Program - there are tons of ways that anyone can get involved to assist as a volunteer.
Details can be found at:
https://www.ucpcfl.org/volunteer
Connect with UCP online:
https://www.facebook.com/UCPcentralflorida
WEBSITE
https://www.ucpcfl.org/
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY!
BOOKS FOR BABIES - BOARD BOOK DRIVE FOR EIGHT WAVES
Our current Books for Babies Drive goal is to collect 400 new or used infant board books by August 1, 2023.
Local Winter Garden area families in need will receive these books to read to their infants through Eight Waves Children & Family Services. Did you know that around 60% of low-income families in the Orlando area do not own age-appropriate books for their children.
You can be a part of helping reduce that staggering number!
Simply gather your gently used or purchase brand new infant board books and get them to a Rotary Club of Horizon West Member.
You can easily drop them off as well at these 3 area locations:
- Bryan Fifer, State Farm Insurance Agent - on 535 near Walgreens
- Axiom Bank N.A. - in Hamlin
- ScribbleSpace - in Summerport Village
Please share the post about this drive to your page and groups on Facebook >>
APPRECIATION AWARDS
As part of our final meeting of our term year, appreciation awards were presented to our corporate sponsors as well as our outgoing president, Andy Ortiz.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Wednesday June 28th
4pm - Loop Cafe
Board Meeting for our club - all members are welcome
Wednesday July 5th
Speaker TBD
ROTARY HAPPY HOUR • LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
To further our club's focus on community service, networking & fellowship, save the last Wednesday of every month from 5:30 - 7:30pm on your calendar now!
Next Event:
Wed June 28th - Location Loop Cafe, Summerport Village -
Details on Facebook >>
MAXEY ELEMENTARY STUDENT MENTORS NEEDED
Please contact Francisco to get signed up to be a mentor to one our our Maxey Elementary children that are in need of an adult mentor. Half hour a week is all it takes to make a huge difference in the children's lives and our members that have been doing this for several years share over and over how much it actually has enriched their life as well.
Definitely time worth committing to.
REMINDER OF THE ONGOING CHALLENGE TO OUR CURRENT MEMBERS
Our District Governor Andres Goyanes' challenged us to the 4 Way Challenge so we are ramping up our efforts to invite others to come check out our club:
1) a Family Member
2) a Friend
3) a Co-worker
4) a Customer
And if you can't find one of them to come, ask a Veteran or a First Responder.
