Orange County Government

🦃 One of the many things we're thankful for is our veterans—brave individuals who have helped ensure the freedoms we all cherish. We're grateful for your service! If you or anyone you know is a veteran living in Orange County, visit ocfl.net/Veterans to learn about programs available to you.

Happy Thanksgiving, Orange County! 🦃 🍂🍁🍊 "Today we express gratitude for the blessings of the past year, and I am grateful for the hard work and can-do attitude we see in Orange County every day. It has been six years since I first became mayor, and it has been my greatest honor to serve this community and you — our residents. As we come together with family and friends, let us take a moment to reflect on the blessings of the past year, celebrate our accomplishments, and stay united in our shared commitment to building a stronger, better Orange County for all." - Jerry L. Demings, Orange County Mayor

Professional development 🤝networking with other public safety professionals!🏆 💪 Last week a group from the@[ Valencia Colleg](urn:li:organization:15685)e Public Safety Leadership Development Certification Program toured the Orange County Jail. The program develops public safety professionals into innovative leaders and provides them with tools and techniques that can be immediately applied in the field. The goal is to instill competencies essential to leading others, serving our communities and achieving organizational results. Congratulations to Orange County Corrections’ Lt. Sonja Robinson, Unit Supervisor Shantell Murphy-Lewis, and all members of the class on this accomplishment!

🧠💪👷 “You need to make up in your mind that you will succeed,” he asserted. “There’s power in your mindset.” Twelve men proudly crossed the stage to accept their diplomas when the Inmate Construction Program had its 21st graduation at the Orange County Corrections Department earlier this month. Since the program began in March 2016, it has graduated 313 students. Of those, 211 have secured full-time employment.

🎅🤶 Get into the holiday spirit and lend a helping hand! Join us for the FOX 35 Orlando Shop & Drop, on Saturday, December 7 at the Walmart Supercenter on East Colonial Drive. Drop off new, unwrapped toy donations in person at this one-day event, featuring some of your favorite on-air personalities. 🎁 Walmart Supercenter 📍 11250 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817 📅 Saturday, December 7, 2024 🕕 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

🍂 Storm Debris Removal Update🍂 Our contractors have collected about 110,000 cubic yards of debris, and we expect to have county-maintained roads substantially clear of storm debris by Christmas. For those who still have debris in front of your homes, make sure your vegetative debris is separated from other debris. Piles with fence posts, panels, bags of leaves, or other items will only be picked up after the first pass is complete. Visit ocfl.net/storm for more information.

Donate a toy 🤝 Meet a firefighter We need your help to make this year's Holiday Toy Drive a success! Visit any of the six Orange County Fire Rescue stations below to donate new, unwrapped toys now through December 9. 🚒 Station 31 - S. Apopka Vineland Road 🚒 Station 40 - Beggs Road 🚒 Station 81 - S. Econlockhatchee Trail 🚒 Station 83 - Lake Underhill Road 🚒 Station 67 - University Boulevard 🚒 Station 51 - W. Oak Ridge Road Learn more: ocfl.net/ToyDrive

We need YOUR input to help shape the future of culture in our community! 🎨✨ We’ve teamed up with the City of Orlando to develop CANVAS, a cultural plan to strengthen the arts and creative scene across the region. This blueprint will guide the growth of cultural vibrancy and ensure everyone has access to the arts over the next decade. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ideas in our quick 5-minute survey: https://bit.ly/3Vhqakv

Donating to the Orange County Mayor's Holiday Toy Drive couldn't be easier! Stop by one of our 37 drop-off sites to donate new, unwrapped toys in person now through December 9. Check out our interactive map to find a location near you! 👉 bit.ly/40oaRK8

🚧Econ Trail Expansion Project Update🚧 Crews spent this week installing massive concrete beams overnight to support a new two-lane bridge over S.R. 408 parallel to the existing bridge. The new bridge will carry Econ Trail northbound traffic while the existing bridge will carry southbound traffic. The $66.7 million project is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.