JUNE 2009 COMMUNITY PAPER HIGHLIGHTS:
College Park Citizens Graduate from CERT Training
    The College Park Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), with a grant from Allstate Insurance sponsored a two evening Emergency Preparedness Training for Citizens – “What to do before, during, and after a disaster.”  The two evening training class was held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
    The course trained twenty-four citizens in what they can do before a disaster to prepare themselves, their homes and their families, what a citizen can expect during a disaster and how a citizen can respond to the needs of their families and neighbors after a disaster. The course also covered emergency first aid in a disaster environment. ~more

Downtown College Park kicks off the first 2nd Saturdays On the Drive
“Because MALL is a four-letter word.” As part of the Orlando Main Street program, College Park begins the first of a free monthly community block party style event called 2nd Saturdays On the Drive. Once a month, local artists, street performers, and live music up and down Edgewater Dr. will celebrate the culture of central Orlando.
    As part of the Orlando Main Street program, the Downtown College Park Partnership kicks off the first of a free monthly community event on Edgewater Dr. on June 13th. Like the popular College Park Jazz Fest On the Drive and Holiday On the Drive, 2nd Saturdays On the Drive looks to be a monthly destination for everyone from local residents to downtown hipsters. Local businesses open their doors late on the second Saturday of every month to patrons from 5:00-9:00.
    Some of the businesses and restaurants are offering specials and/or entertainment for the evening. Vending spots are available to local artists of all sorts, and street entertainers will be featured throughout Edgewater Drive.
    Why you ask? “Because MALL is a four-letter word!” says Jody Rogers, the owner of Beachcombers Bazaar, a business in College Park. “We want to give residents a reason to have fun in their own backyard.” Community involvement is what it’s all about: socialization, meeting your neighbors, and supporting the local area while having fun. With all the tourism and commercialism in Orlando, this is a way to connect with the place Orlando residents call home.
    Alan Bucciero, a College Park resident who will be helping with the drum circle in Albert Park at the first 2nd Saturday, June 13, mentions, “It will be a great opportunity to start getting involved in my new community.”
    A new social website at www.OnTheDrive.org connects vendors, musicians, residents, and anyone else that wants to be a part of this exciting event. Stop by and be a part of the inaugural event!

THANK YOU, ORLANDO! This year,  Second Harvest Food Bank received 376,514 lbs of food collected by letter carriers in Central Florida on May 9 - NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.  (372,414 in 2008).     In Orlando, people were generous and donated approximately 202,775 lbs of food (185,534 collected in 2008) on Saturday, May 9 for the National Association of Letter Carriers food drive.     This is really good news because the need for food in our banks and pantries is double what it was this time last year. Thanks to all who donated! ~ more

See more pictures here

COLLEGE PARK LAW FIRM SPONSORS FUNDRAISER FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Concert Event Featuring REO Speedwagon Raises Nearly Quarter-Million Dollars

For the fifth consecutive year, Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna & Ruffier was the presenting sponsor for the annual “Hearts of Gold” event benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.  Firm partner Brian Wilson currently serves as chairman of the organization’s board of directors.

More than 2,000 government, business and philanthropic leaders and concert enthusiasts attended the April 24th fundraiser at Hard Rock Live, which featured a silent auction and performance by the 1970s Midwest rock band REO Speedwagon.  The event raised more than $240,000 for the Coalition for the Homeless and the work it does sheltering 650 people each day and helping them return to lives of self-sufficiency through counseling, job training, and educational programs. ~more