Welcome, November!

With the cooler weather knocking on our door and the holidays just around the corner, we have much to be thankful for this month.

We reached an important milestone at the end of last month with the expiration of the executive order for coronavirus in our County. Thankfully, the case numbers have steadily declined, and we saw the 14-day rolling positivity rate reach at or below 5 percent for an extended period of time. This was wonderful news for everyone.

Another thing to be thankful for is the return of international travel with airlines able to resume flights to select international markets this month. Our local tourist attractions are decorated for the holidays and ready to welcome visitors from far and wide with many fun and exciting offerings.

I’m also thankful this month to kick-off the annual Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive on November 15. This toy collection is important to our community, as it helps local residents have a brighter holiday thanks to the kindness and thoughtfulness of other residents. Learn more about the Toy Drive in this newsletter.

And finally, I want to wish you all a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you’re staying home and exploring our beautiful county or traveling to see family elsewhere, I wish you the very best for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Veterans Day Celebration

Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive Kick Off

Since its first event in 2011, the Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive has distributed more than 45,000 toys to children and families in need during the holiday season. The 2021 Toy Drive will kick off on Monday, November 15, 2021. Learn ways to donate by visiting ocfl.net/ToyDrive.

The festival draws people from more than 110 different cultures to experience food, music, dance, fashion, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities. The Opening Spectacle, a new must-see show created to honor the rich diversity in Central Florida with brass fanfare, music, dance and special appearances by local leaders, will kick off the festivities on both days. To learn more visit FusionFest.org.

Vaccines: Free, drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations are available 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Vaccine availability for initial series of shots, as well as boosters, includes Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. A vaccination record card/form is required for individuals receiving second doses or booster shots.

For more vaccine information, visit ocfl.net/vaccine.

Testing: Free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Residents interested in receiving a COVID-19 test are recommended to arrive early to Orange County’s free drive-thru testing sites, as sites may close early due to reaching its daily capacity or severe afternoon weather.

For more testing information, visit ocfl.net/testing.

Help us draw the line for fair and equal representation! There is still time to participate in Orange County Government’s redistricting process. Residents are encouraged to attend an in-person meeting or watch from home on Facebook or OrangeTV. Upcoming meetings:

Residents can draw their own district maps, submit virtual public comments and learn more about redistricting by visiting ocfl.net/redistricting.

The Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) recently announced the winners of the Digital Counties Survey 2021. The survey, conducted by CDG in partnership with NACo, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, and Orange County has been ranked 4th in the entire nation in the 1,000,000 or More Population Category.

Check out these social media highlights, connect with Orange County Government and follow Mayor Demings on Facebook and Twitter.