I-Drive Improvement District's Ninth Annual Angel Tree Program helps 585 Orange County children for the holidays

The International Drive Improvement District was able to provide clothing for 585 children when it partnered with the Salvation Army and WKMG Local 6, for its ninth annual Angel Tree program this 2010 holiday season.
 
Since 1865, the Salvation Army has been supporting those in need with this nationally recognized program that provides new clothing for underprivileged children. The structure of the program makes it easy and convenient for everyone to help a child during the holidays.
 
“With the current economy, there were so many families who needed a helping hand this year,” says Luann Brooks, executive director of the International Drive Master Transit & Improvement District. “We are grateful to the more than 25 I-Drive industry sponsors who participated in this program to help Orange County families in need.
 
According to the Salvation Army, I-Drive participants provided more than 1,000 gifts that helped 585 children. In addition, I-Drive participants adopted the second highest number of angels and were responsible for 1/12 of all angels adopted.
 
Participating accommodations, attractions, restaurants and other businesses in the I-Drive area place a Christmas tree in a secure, high-employee traffic area. The tree is decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child who will receive a gift of new clothing. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase the appropriate clothing for the child or children described on the tags. The sponsoring organization also serves as a secure collection point for the gifts.
 
2010 participants include: American Ad Specialties, Brighton collectibles, Costco Wholesale, Dairy Queen, DoubleTree Orlando, Embassy Suites-Jamaican Court, Fairfield Inn & Suites-SeaWorld, Hilton Garden Inn SeaWorld, Hilton Orlando, Holiday Inn & Suites, Image Marketing, International Drive Improvement District, Know Before U Go, Lake Eve Resort, Mears Transportation Group, Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Road, Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, Pointe Orlando, Putting Edge, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Sheriff’s Office - Sector 5, Taverna Opa, Tilted Kilt, Residence Inn - Convention Center Center, Springhill Suites-Convention Center, Staybridge Suites, World Quest Resort, Springhill Suites-SeaWorld, Thursday’s CVB Leads Group, Kids Eat Free and Westin Imagine.
 
The District began participating in this program in 2002 and each year it continues to grow. The objective is to provide gifts of new clothing for as many children as possible whose families registered for holiday assistance or children from child care centers and foster homes.
 
For more information call 407-248-9590 or e-mail ztalsma@idrivedistrict.com.
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