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Date: 11/25/2020
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events/Happy Thanksgiving
From: Lisa K Adkins




Thanksgiving, November 26, 2020

 Dear Members and Friends of the League:

 As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s together give thanks for our freedom to vote. We are completing the 2020 election year peacefully and with the highest voter participation in US history during the most tumultuous year of our lifetimes. In record numbers, Americans have spoken in the loudest terms possible. Up and down long ballots, whether by mail or risking long lines, even to ballot page four for the Orange County charter amendments, voters had their say to preserve our democracy and their local quality of life. Now with the release of GSA funds to President-Elect Biden, thankfully we have begun the peaceful transition of power that we have come to expect but this year has been severely threatened. The foundation of our democracy, the freedom to vote, has prevailed.

 Let’s also give thanks for the countless and tireless hours you gave to fulfill our mission “Empower Voters and Preserve Democracy.” This year of all our 81 years, our mission has never been more relevant or impactful. Whether you risked your own well-being to staff an election day precinct; built Orange County’s section of VOTE411.org; distributed Vote-By-Mail, VOTE411, and Charter Amendment signs; secured billboards; texted 18 to 30-year-old-registered voters; designed images; built webpages; emailed organizations to sign on with us to GOTV; registered new voters; collected petitions and election signs for recycling; drove in a caravan; assisted candidate forums/debates; presented on panels and for local media and groups; made a donation; simply asked your family and friends to check their registration and make a plan to vote; or supported any of our other myriad of voter registration and turnout activities for the past eight months—you are an Orange County League election warrior! You empowered voters and thus preserved our democracy. You helped protect our right to vote and make every vote count. We are ever so grateful for you and your volunteer work.

 Thank you.

 Warmest regards,

Gloria and Sandi 


TOY DRIVE, December 1-17
 
 Sending HOPE to the HOPE CommUnity Center.  It's our tradition to collect toys/gifts for this special center at our Annual Christmas party.  Like everything else, our collection will be a bit different this year.  Our HOPE gift collection will occur virtually.
 
Read all the details HERE and start shopping early for a worthy cause...a bit of normalcy in an era of challenge!
 
Shown above, some of the toy haul from last year's celebration.
A pandemic hasn't stopped our dedication to hosting social events, philanthropic efforts, and League business.  We have record membership and participation hasn't slowed.  In other words, we have lived up to our suffragist ideals for the last 100 years and become a national icon as the League of Women Voters.  Ladies and gentlemen, MARK your calendars!  Let's continue to gather virtually and welcome 2021.
 
Schedule update!  Rather than a DEC holiday Zoom, we'll be hosting a JAN Happy Hour toasting the arrival of 2021 and good riddance to 2020!
 
 Also, as you're updating your calendar, make plans to participate in our Annual Planning Meeting to be held 9:00-12:30PM PLANNING MEETING - 1/23/2021

Each year, the Rollins Alumni Awards recognize graduates who have made extraordinary contributions to society in their meaningful lives and productive careers.  League member, Fairolyn H. Livingston has received the following:
 Fred Rogers Global Citizenship Award

In honor of beloved alumnus Fred Rogers ’51 ’74H, this award recognizes prominent alumni who exemplify the Rollins mission of global citizenship and responsible leadership through their extraordinary achievements and impact on society.

Chief Historian

Hannibal Square Heritage Center

As the chief historian of the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Fairolyn H. Livingston ’83 is known as the “institutional memory of Winter Park’s west side,” where she was raised by what she lovingly refers to as a village. She earned her bachelor’s degree in humanities from Rollins’ Hamilton Holt School, is a retired human service specialist with the State of Florida, and has been associated with the Heritage Center since it opened in 2007, becoming its chief historian in 2014. In 1997, Livingston received the Rhea Marsh and Dorothy Lockhart Smith Research Grant—awarded annually by Rollins’ Olin Library in partnership with the Winter Park Public Library—to support research related to local history. In 2018, Winter Park Magazine featured Livingston as one of the city’s 10 “Most Influential People” for her contributions to preserving and understanding Central Florida’s African American history.


TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The League participated with CFL4TRANSIT to craft a letter to Metroplan Orlando regarding the 2045 Transportation Plan. David Thomas Moran, a committee member and head of CFL4 TRANSIT, crafted this letter expressing many of our concerns about the lack of funding for transit and the needs within our community for the next two decades.
 
Click the link below to read David's letter.
CFL4Transit Letter

NATURAL RESOURCES Committee
Young Legal Eagles Report on Urgent Environmental Issues
At our request, Barry Law School students have researched and are ready to report on the legal aspects of  four critically important environmental issues. Please join us for the presentation of their research at our Natural Resources Committee; this Free Event will take place on December 3, 2020 at 6:30. Registration is required. Please RSVP to Kay Hudson at lwvkay@gmail.com by Wednesday, December 2 to get an invitation to join the meeting.

Thank you new members who attended our FIRST Virtual Orientation on 11/17/2020. There were 39 participants including Host Pat Grierson, Membership Chair, and Co-Host Saudi Ellis. Special thanks to LWVFL President Patti Brigham as our guest speaker! A poll taken of new members revealed "the protection of voters rights" should be members #1 priority. A second poll revealed that by joining the League this was their first experience as an advocate or activist. The LWVOC welcomes your enthusiasm and ideas, and look forward to your participation in our advocacy committees! There's a place for everyone in the LWVOC. Have questions regarding your membership, please send to lwvocmembership@gmail.com
(shown above: from years' past, Leaguers greeting a potential new member)

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to:
 
Patricia Nelson for her generous donation to the LWVOC Fund
 
Please consider our League as you extend charitable gifts before the end of the year.  Tax-deductible gifts can be placed online and also dedicated "in honor" or "in memory" of someone.
 

Joanne Pengelly

 

*this spot reserved for one of your friends, family, or colleagues

 *this spot reserved for a high school or college aged student (they join for free!)
 *this spot reserved for a membership gift recipient
 
Invite everyone you know to JOIN US 

Newsletter Checklist
  • NO Hot Topics in December!  Instead, save JAN dates for our Happy Hour and Annual Planning Mtg
  • Campaign Sign Recycling Volunteers...WOWZA!  Success x 20k
  • Congratulations to our member Fairolyn for her special recognition
  • Check out the info below for an important community event
  • Happy Thanksgiving to all and since 2020 has been unusual, I've decided to serve lasagna instead because why not!? :-)

Exposing Epstein’s Evils: An Evening with Julie K. Brown and Emily Michot

The award-winning investigative reporter, along with acclaimed photojournalist, will share how they uncovered a secret plea that allowed Jeffrey Epstein, a multimillionaire financial advisor, to evade prosecution for sex crimes against underage girls. Brown and Michot will discuss reporting the Perversion of Justice series, which shed light on the full extent of Epstein’s crimes and the number of victims, who had been denied justice for years. The two will also discuss the aftermath of their reporting. All proceeds support the First Amendment Foundation and its mission of open and transparent government.