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Date: 12/4/2025
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins



LWVOC is closing out 2025 with a long list (sorry, Santa) of opportunities to be involved in the defense of democracy.  Beyond our regular activities, we're having holiday celebrations!  Reserve your seat HERE at our DEC 17 Annual Holiday Party.  We're placing our catering order with Cuisiniers next Wednesday so please let us know if you'll be joining the fun!
Where: The Woman's Club of Winter Park, 419 S. Interlachen, WP
When: 6:00-9:00PM, Weds. Dec. 17
Includes: Live jazz, wine, buffet dinner, festive "fun"
Cost:  $40 Members/Guests   $15 Student Members
*If you have specific diet requests, there is space on the registration for your requirements.
 
Also, next week is our Annual Sip & Shop (Thurs-DEC 11) on Park Ave. in Winter Park.  Participating merchants will donate a % of their afternoon's proceeds to LWVOC. It's a great opportunity to catch up on your holiday shopping (especially if you chose #notbuyingit last weekend)!
CONGRATULATIONS 🏆 to Leaguer Ricky Ly who has been awarded the 2025 Orange County Distinguished Citizen of the Year! He is a civil engineer, food blogger, and voting advocate in the Asian community and so much more. In 2024, Ly and fellow Leaguers Onchantho Am and Kam Shenai founded Asian American Pacific Islanders Coming Together or ACT. To learn more about Ricky, click here: https://loom.ly/gPOEwi4
 
Also, Ricky talks about the advantages of being a Leaguer (he's been a member since 2011) on our "League Stories" series.  See the video on our YouTube Channel HERE.
Democracy doesn’t happen by accident — it happens through participation. Thank you for participating with us for Early-Giving and Giving Tuesday.  And no worries if you missed it...we're celebrating the Giving Season all month long! GIVE HERE
THANK YOU to all of our supporters!
 
The Coleman Family Charitable Fund
 
Louise M. Manry Diana L. Smith Maureen Witwer
 
Lee Rambeau Kemp, Giving Society Therese D. Osborne
 
Theresa K. Creighton Anne Packham Phyllis A. Hood
 
Alexis Pugh Cheryl Wheeless David Witwer
 
Sam and Barbara Wilson

Upcoming Events


ATTENTION: City of Orlando District 3 residents will be participating in a runoff election NEXT WEEK on DEC 9 for City Commissioner.  The candidates are Roger Chapin and Mira TannaMake note of these important dates and make a voting plan!
Visit the Orange County Elections site for early voting information and more!
DEC 4, TODAY, 6PM; Natural Resources
Barry Law's Environmental and Earth Law Clinic presents their research from the Fall '25 term. The focus this term was on options for curtailing dumping activities that are affecting the Econ River at an illegal borrow pit in east Orange County.
Learn more about the Natural Resources Committee

Tomorrow, DEC 5, Gun Violence Prevention invites you to participate in
LWVOC GVP committee and others, come enjoy the Holiday Spirit by making the children under the care of the amazing Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families a little brighter. We will have a simple craft to share with the children and a snowball popcorn ball for them to take away. I promise even if it is cold outside your heart will be warmed by these precious children. Please let Linda Coffin know if you are attending for more details. There are 2 shifts, 4;30 -7 and 6:30 to 9.
Leaguers, plan to join us as we make our voices heard at the capitol. Secure your spot today for 2026 Lobby Days. LWVFL hotel rates are valid through Dec. 20, 2025. Registrations done after Dec. 20 will be booked at the hotel's rate, pending room availability. And while you're at it, don't forget to sign-up today for the upcoming 2026 Lobby Days Bootcamp trainings. Register HERE.

Muzzled: A Siege on Speech
HOT TOPICS, January 14

Free speech doesn’t feel as free anymore. The news media are becoming shackled by a lack of funding, direct attacks from public officials and a loss of support from the business community. How do you battle an aversion or indifference to news, a persistent belief in false narratives and general distrust? Is there anything we can do in Orange County to counteract these threats? The answer is yes, and we’re going to outline what is happening locally with free speech and a free press, and how we can fix some of these problems.

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.