January 2026

Each month, The Demings Digest keeps you up to date on local projects, key initiatives and community events. Estimated read time: 8 minutes

From the Mayor

Happy New Year!

I hope you enjoyed time with family and friends over the holiday season. As we look ahead to 2026, now is the perfect moment to embrace the opportunities that a new year brings. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of serving as your Mayor for the past seven years and remain dedicated to making Orange County the experimental prototype community of tomorrow.

First, I want to thank everyone for making this year’s Holiday Toy Drive a record-breaking success. With your help, we collected and distributed more than 13,000 toys to local families in need. I also want to recognize our outstanding County employees, who collectively pledged more than $1.4 million to support the annual Heart of Florida United Way Giving Campaign to help our community.

In the News

Community Centers Making Significant Impact

Across Orange County, nine Community Centers are doing more than offering programs and services — they are helping thousands of residents build better lives. These centers embody a simple but powerful philosophy: when people are given the tools to help themselves, entire communities thrive.

More Local Stories

From Service to Civilian: Orange County Veterans Services

Program Helps Homeowner Make Repairs After Hurricane Ian

Resident Builds ADU Using Ready Set Orange

Code Compliance Team Helps Resident with Car Problems

Go Behind the Scenes with Mayor's Citizens Academy

Mayor's Open House

Meet Mayor Demings and your district commissioner while learning more about the County’s departments, services, and initiatives at the Mayor's Open House & Job Fair. Orange County Human Resources will host a countywide job fair, and kids can enjoy family-friendly activities.

When: Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Orange County Administration Center

Registration: ocfl.net/OpenHouse

MLK Day of Service

Honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of public service by joining volunteers from all walks of life to pack one million healthy meals in a single day to feed local families in need. This annual event exemplifies the difference we can make through unity and community action. The event is free but registration is required.

When: Monday, January 19, 2026

Where: Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse

Registration: Orange County Staff (select “Orange County” as organization)

Registration: Community Volunteers

#FestivalMode with United Arts

Celebrate eight weeks of art, music, parades and cultural festivities during #FESTIVALMODE by United Arts of Central Florida. Enjoy perfect winter weather as more than 20 festivals light up our region with creativity and community spirit.

Nominate a Veteran

Know a local veteran making a difference? Nominate them for the annual Orange County Veteran of the Year award to honor their service and community impact. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2026.

Community Calendar: January

January 8th | 4:30 p.m.

OCLS: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston

January 10th | 9:00 a.m.

HOA Board Certification Training

January 11th | 3:30 p.m.

Orlando MLK Candlelight Vigil

January 17th | 1:00 p.m.

Cardboard Canoe Regatta

January 17th | 2:00 p.m.

Eatonville MLK Parade

January 19th | 10:00 a.m.

Ocoee MLK Unity Parade

January 19th | 11:00 a.m.

Winter Garden MLK Celebration

January 30th | 9:00 a.m.

Zora! Festival of the Arts

BCC Meetings: January

January 13th | 9:00 a.m.

Orange County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

January 27th | 9:00 a.m.

Orange County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Browse upcoming Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings and other public meetings on the County Calendar.

Now Hiring

Search Job ID: 38173

Animal Services Veterinarian

Search Job ID: 38362

Correctional Officer

Search Job ID: 38406

Licensed Social Worker

Search Job ID: 38212

Senior Accounting Specialist

Search Job ID: 38385

Parks & Rec. Lifeguard

Search Job ID: 38269

Paramedic

Explore your next career opportunity with Orange County at ocfl.net/careers.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Nine elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit ocfl.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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