The International Drive Improvement District was able to bring some holiday joy to 790 area disadvantaged children when it partnered with the Salvation Army, along with WKMG Local 6, for its 13th annual Angel Tree program for the 2014 holiday season.

 

I-Drive’s goal was is to provide new clothing for 700 children in the Orange County community. Because of the partnerships with the businesses in the tourist corridor, that goal was surpassed by 90 "angels."

 

 

“There were so many families who needed a helping hand this year,” says Luann Brooks, executive director of the International Drive Improvement District. "And 87 of our I-Drive industry businesses partnered with us making it possible to go over our goal. This is a wonderful way for anyone to help a family in need during the holiday. It has become a huge part of the holiday season for our staff and our generous District partners.”

 

And Brooks says it was not just about providing much needed clothing.

 

"More than 50 percent of the participants also went a step further and generously fulfilled the child's "wish" and provided bikes, toys and electronic games."

 

Since 1865, the Salvation Army has supported those in need with this nationally recognized program that provides new clothing or toys for underprivileged children. The structure of the program makes it easy and convenient for everyone to help a child during the holidays.

 

This year, more than 3,900 disadvantaged children were helped through the program when participating accommodations, attractions, restaurants and other businesses in the I-Drive area placed a Christmas tree in a high-employee traffic area. The tree was decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child to receive a gift of new clothing. Contributors removed one or more tags from the tree and purchased the appropriate clothing for the child or children described on the tags. The sponsoring organization also served as a secure collection point for the gifts.

 

The District began participating in this program in 2002 and each year it continues to grow. In 2015, the District plans to distribute more than 1,000 angels to its partners. and to provide new clothing for children within the Orange County community. The objective is to provide gifts of only new clothing for as many children as possible whose families registered for holiday assistance or children from child care centers and foster homes.

 

For more information on the Angel Tree Program and how your business can join I-Drive's District Partners for 2015, please contact Zina Talsma at 407-248-9590 or ztalsma@idrivedistrict.com.

01/13/2015