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Date: 10/23/2025
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


We were there, standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other central Floridians taking part in the No Kings 2 Rally on Oct 18th at Orlando's City Hall. In all, more than 7 million people across the nation peacefully protested, making it one of the largest demonstrations in US history. Read more HERE about the LWVUS perspective on "Uniting in Peaceful Protest".

After a morning of voicing our dissent, we pivoted to an afternoon of celebrating PRIDE!  Leaguers marched in the annual Pride Parade (Come out With Pride) in downtown Orlando; it's the largest single-day event in central Florida and we were well represented.  Watch us in action, courtesy of WESH 2 News, by viewing this short clip on YouTube.
View our 2025 No Kings & Pride Parade photo album to see all the fun!
For the upcoming NOV 4 ELECTION
There's still time to request your vote by mail ballot!!
Co-Pres. Kathy Schmitz spoke on behalf of LWVOC to request respect for the state constitution's stance on Redistricting.
View the clip, courtesy of News 6 WKMG on our Facebook page HERE.

Volunteer Opportunities
We are getting A LOT of requests for tabling at local events and need VOLUNTEERS! Check out the information below to sign up and help us empower voters. Visit Volunteering Opportunities often as it is updated regularly.  Shown below: Speakers Bureau is our educational arm of LWVOC. Volunteers Jean Yglesias & Kathy Sheerin are shown (in purple below) at a recent presentation at the JCC Rosen Center with a senior citizens group. These dedicated volunteers present programs upon request to community organizations. Their subjects range from basic civics, voter/election information, the history and current goals of the League, etc. And guess what? They need MORE volunteers as the demand for their services has grown, especially with the current political environment.
CLICK below to view a short "how-to video" on our YouTube channel and start your volunteering era with the League.
 
OCT 25, Central FL VegFest, 3 shifts starting 9:45AM
2911 E. Robinson St.
 
NOV 6, Wekiva HS, shifts start at 7am
Student presentation/voter registration
 
*For voter registration tabling, you must have taken and passed the League voter registration test HERE.(ForLeaguers only-must be logged into system to connect)
 
NOV 7-8, Growvember
Mead Gardens Annual Plant Sale & Festival
Represent the League and provide voter info
Ongoing OBSERVER CORPS
Monthly observations of City Council Mtgs
with reports back to League.
Contact Susan Adams for more info.
 
  

Upcoming Events

Hot Topics: Tourism Taxes — A Revenue Stream Worth Reimagining

Tuesday, Nov. 12 | Winter Park Events Center

How should Orange County use its Tourism Development Tax (TDT) -- the millions generated by visitors every year? Could this funding stream help pay for future infrastructure and community needs?

Join the League of Women Voters of Orange County for a thought-provoking Hot Topics discussion as local leaders debate competing visions for how these dollars should be spent.

Moderator: LaToya Dennis, News Director and Managing Editor, Central Florida Public Media
Panelists:

  • Jane Healy, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former co-chair, TDT Citizens Advisory Task Force

  • Frank Santos, CEO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts

  • State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, representing Central Florida

🕥 Doors open: 10:30 a.m. – buffet lunch
🕚 Program: 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Winter Park Events Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd.
🎟️ Tickets: $30 members | $37 nonmembers
👉 Come for lunch, stay for lively conversation—and leave with new insight into one of the county’s most important public debates.

Give a Little Joy at Our Next Hot Topics Town Square!

Next month’s Hot Topics Town Square will feature a League merchandise table and not one, but two community collections supporting the HOPE CommUnity Center!

🎁 Toy Drive:
We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys for HCC’s annual toy sale. For the past decade, we’ve gathered toys at our Holiday Party—but this year, we’re expanding so even more of you can join in the fun!

🥫 Food Drive:
Our Immigration Committee is also sponsoring a non-perishable food drive to help local families in need.

This season of thanks and giving, please consider bringing a child’s toy and a food item to Hot Topics.
Can’t make it in person? No problem! HCC has provided easy links and QR codes for online donations and their Amazon wish list—so you can give in the way that works best for you.

Details below—let’s make a difference together!
The annual holiday Park Avenue Sip and Shop will be on December 11.
Come out and support the League by purchasing  great gifts, books,  clothing, home and fashion accessories. Each store will give a percentage of proceeds for the day to the LWVOC.  More details coming soon!
 
It's been a year...and it's not over yet!
Make plans to party with your
fellow Leaguers this holiday season.

Leaguer Life Lately
Lee Rambeau Kemp with Desmond Meade-FL Rights Restoration Coalition (left) who joined author Daniel Rivero (right) at Writer's Block Bookstore Friday evening for a discussion and book signing for Rivero’s new release: “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle”.
Writer’s Block Bookstore will partner again with LWVOC for its annual holiday Park Avenue Sip and Shop on December 11.
Cathy Williams
Katie Sanders
Julie Gehring
Ilene Haney
Deb Jepson
Jody Kalman
Courtney Haught
Andrea D. Ortiz
 
Defend democracy with us. JOIN HERE
Laurie Wack
 
Learn about the many different ways for you to $upport the LWVOC. 
 
Visit our newly revamped Donate page for more information.

Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

Also, check out our NEW Fund Development Committee page if you'd like to become more involved in our efforts.
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