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Impact Update for Thursday, May 26

"The UCF community has really helped out a lot to give my brother this opportunity and he’s ecstatic. I let him get these moments through me. He’s not given the same opportunity as me, so for him to just experience all of this — it’s amazing."

-Maddie Bejarano, UCF Softball Outfielder

See UCF Softball story below...

Quote of the Day.

“I just knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.”

- Gertrude Ederle

American Swimmer and Olympic Champion

Around The Horn.

A special guest will be making their way to Norman when No. 16 UCF softball faces No. 1 Oklahoma in the program’s first NCAA Super Regional this weekend. UCF outfielder Maddie Bejarano’s younger brother, Tanner, who has Down syndrome, will be traveling from Arizona to support his sister and the Knights.
For the first time in history, three female referees and three female assistant referees were among those selected to serve as officials for the upcoming men's 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The UCF Board of Trustees unanimously approved two items that relate to athletics director Terry Mohajir’s grand plan to upgrade the university’s athletics village as well as expand the football stadium.
Orlando City prevailed in a penalty shootout at home over Inter Miami on Wednesday to reach the U.S Open Cup's quarterfinals.
The Orlando Magic landing the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft not only has the potential to significantly alter their long-term outlook but will change their short-term future too.
The Stanley Cup, the coveted championship prize in the National Hockey League, is making a two-day stop at Disney Springs this week. The trophy will be located near the Pandora Jewelry store in the Town Center neighborhood of the development from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be a photo opportunity for visitors.
Seminole commissioners on Tuesday honored the scores of local athletes who will be competing in next month’s Special Olympics USA Games at sporting venues in Orange, Osceola, and Lake counties. Commissioners watched a brief video on the Special Olympics and then stood for group photos with the athletes, who will be competing in equestrian, tennis, volleyball, triathlon and cheerleading.
The 2022 Cure Bowl will be played Friday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. on ESPN. The annual college football bowl game at Exploria Stadium in Orlando is owned and operated by ESPN Events.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission unveiled the list of 60 finalists for the 2022 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors. Representing 36 different organizations throughout Greater Orlando, the complete list of finalists can be found here along with the corporate partners who are sponsoring the 12 award categories.
The Orlando Predators and arena football are finally back at the Amway Center! Enjoy a whole new halftime entertainment segment produced by Full Sail Hall Of Fame Inductee & Boon Castle CEO Ashish Manchanda, featuring recording artists Xavier Keyz and Nisha Asnani! Click here to see ticket options for the next home game on Saturday, May 28.
Puerto Rican world champion Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez is set to make the first defense of his WBO Junior Flyweight Title against Filipino Olympian and former title challenger Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga in a 12-round main event at Osceola Heritage Park that will be streamed live and globally on ProBox TV.

In The News.

The first Brightline train arrived for testing at the new Orlando International Airport station on May 17. After testing, the train returned to Brightline’s vehicle maintenance facility south of the airport.
Orange County Government just announced a new three-year, $4 million partnership with the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College last week. Through the new Empowering Good: A Nonprofit Capacity Building Project, Crummer’s Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership will provide nonprofit training support to small, county-based organizations.
A Florida beach was named the second best in the U.S. on the annual Dr. Beach Top 10 list released ahead of Memorial Day, the traditional kickoff to summer.
In its search for Orange County’s next school superintendent, the Orange County School Board on Wednesday picked three semifinalists who will get further consideration as the possible next leader of one of Florida’s largest school districts.
SpaceX made its 22nd launch in 21 weeks this year with another ride-share flight with several customers from the Space Coast on Wednesday. A Falcon 9 on the Transporter-5 mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex-40 at 2:35 p.m. within seconds of another major space activity miles up at the International Space Station when the Boeing CST-100 Starliner separated from the station to begin its trip back to Earth.
A Central Florida Expressway Authority member is calling on the agency to provide an estimated $13 million for 30 years of environmental care of a 1,550-acre tract offered to offset harm from a proposed toll road cutting through Split Oak Forest.
Walmart customers in six states across the country, including Florida, will soon be able to have their orders delivered by drone in under 30 minutes.

Stay Engaged.

Join Dr. Keita Joy with Success Uncensored has partnered with Meta for a 4-part business series. The second virtual program is on May 26 at 7pm EST on the topic of team resilience. The program will discuss how to grow, develop and empower your team to excel in an ever-changing business culture. Click here to register for the complimentary virtual event.
The City of Orlando will host a special ceremony to honor local veterans on Friday, May 27, at Greenwood Cemetery. The community is invited to join District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Mayor Dyer’s Veterans Advisory Council members to honor and remember veterans who lost their lives in service to the American government.
Saturday, May 28 is the 15th Annual Hurricane Party Music Festival in beautiful Historic Downtown Sanford. Sanford’s oldest and largest music festival since 2006, it keeps growing every year with 7 stages and 50+ bands, live art, vendors and food trucks, the Hurricane Party is their way of paying homage to Mother Nature for a tranquil hurricane season.
The Washington Street Night Market is an outdoor event highlighting uniquely fantastic local makers and artists. Held at The Falcon each month, they curate select artists/makers and feature rotating local art on the walls.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are now offering military members and up to three guests complimentary one-day admission to the theme park. The offer is valid for qualified service members and veterans, including active, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military.
Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.

In The Community.

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games torch was lit with the Flame of Hope in Chicago, and the torch run made stops across the northeast as they continue on their way to Orlando

GO Sports Senior Vice President Brent Nelson attended the Monster Jam World Finals at Camping World Stadium over the weekend, along with many partners and friends of GO Sports

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah attended a Community Charity Event with GO Sports board member Latria Graham.

GO Sports and the USTA co-hosted a welcome banquet for the NCAA DIII Men's and Women's Tennis Championships taking place at the National Campus in Lake Nona. Siegel is pictured here with GO Sports board member Joanne Wallen, and City of Orlando Commissioner Gray and Orange County Commissioner Cordero

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel visited with colleagues from sports commissions around the country in Washington DC for the annual large market meetings

GO Sports Board Members Jesse Martinez, Chris Mueller and Joie Chitwood participated in the Pro Am tournament in advance of the LPGA's EPSON Tour Mission Inn Resort & Club Championship taking place this weekend in Lake County

Local Resources.

Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Lake County: Homepage
City of Orlando:
The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
Orange County:
Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Osceola County:
Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
Lake County:
For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
Seminole County:
If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
Additional Resources:
The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.

Fun & Games.

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