The I-Drive Business Improvement District was able to bring some holiday joy to 922 area disadvantaged children when it partnered with the Salvation Army, along with WKMG News 6, for its 14th annual Angel Tree program for the 2015 holiday season. This equates to 25% of all Angels adopted in Orange County!

 

 

I-Drive’s goal was to provide new clothing for 850 children in the Orange County community. Because of the partnerships with the businesses and individuals in the tourist corridor, that goal was surpassed by 72 "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 98 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". Overall in 2015, 922 Angels were adopted, plus 140 bikes and $4,130.00 was donated. This equates to 25% of all Angels adopted in Orange County!

 

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 3,700 disadvantaged children were helped through the program.

 

The District began participating in this program in 2002 and each year it continues to grow. The objective is to provide gifts of only new clothing for as many children as possible whose families registered for holiday assistance.

 

Thank you to the following partners for making the 2015 program such a success with us!

 

 

 

For more information on the Angel Tree Program and how your business can join I-Drive's District Partners for 2016, please contact Zina Talsma at 407-248-9590 or ztalsma@idrivedistrict.com.