On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 CFHLA conducted a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress that featured recognition of all CFHLA educational partnerships, along with a CFHLA Cares Collection Drive for homeless students of Central Florida.
The program awarded $100,000 of scholarships to 38 students, including one full-ride scholarship, through the Don & Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, to a Central Florida high school student, Caitlin Walsh of Dr. Phillips High School. Additionally, CFHLA donated $18,500 of grants to local hospitality schools, including Orange Technical College, Orange County Public Schools, Valencia College and UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Nearly $55,000 in grant monies were awarded to Boy Scouts of America, Central Florida Council, Central Florida Community Arts, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Dr. Phillips Little League, Orlando Health Foundation, Osceola Arts and the Wounded Officers Initiative.
Through a partnership with Massey Services, Inc. and Dollar Tree Stores, nearly 66,000 items were collected at Central Florida Dollar Store locations. Combined with CFHLA member donations made on April 19, CFHLA collected nearly 100,000 needed items for the over 10,000 homeless students in Orange and Osceola counties.