Orange County

Looking ahead: 9 things happening this week

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida continues to reopen as Florida entered phase 2 of Gov. Ron DeSantis reopening plan at the beginning of the month.

With a new week upon us, here are nine things happening this week:

1. Orange County government reopens Individual and Family Assistance Application Portal

The Orange County government is reopening its Individual and Family Assistance Application Portal on Monday at 8 a.m.

Officials said the system will allow 25,000 users to access the website and submit their documentation.

You can access the application here.

2. Inspire of Central Florida to hold golf tournament

Inspire of Central Florida will be holding a golf tournament Monday at the Heathrow Golf and Country Club in Lake Mary.

The tournament will start at 9 a.m.

University of Central Florida and NFL quarterback Blake Bortles will be playing in the event.

Inspire of Central Florida provides vocational training, personal development, transportation and residential services to adults with a variety of disabilities.

3. Orlando Science Center to reopen

The Orlando Science Center will reopen Monday at a limited capacity.

Officials said members are allowed to reserve time slots first and general admissions will be available for purchase.

They ask all guests to purchase tickets online, wear a face covering and have their temperature checked before entering the center.

To find out more, click here.

4. Bethune-Cookman University hosts virtual day of giving

Bethune-Cookman University is hosting a 24-hour online day of giving Monday to provide ongoing support of Dr. Bethune’s lifelong mission of ensuring access to higher education for students at the university.

“We are coming together to ensure that B-CU thrives past the obstacles we were facing early in the academic year,” said Clifford Porter Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “Our alumni donor rate has increased during this time and with the current environment due to COVID, our digital efforts have enhanced tremendously through creating innovative ways to capture the attention of new donors, recurring gifts, and partnership with our alumni groups.”

The university has achieved $5,602,486 toward the $7 million goal for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, officials said.

If you are interested in donating to the university, click here.

5. Farm Share to offer food to families in need in Marion County

Farm Share is offering food to families in need in Marion County.

On Wednesday, families are welcome to visit Fort McCoy School located at 16160 NE County Road 315 in Fort McCoy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Officials said all food is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and the distribution can serve up to 500 families.

Volunteers will place food items into vehicles to maintain safe social distancing.

For more information, click here.

6. Orange Blossom Opry’s performance to benefit Education Foundation of Lake County

Musicians will take the stage at the historic Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale to raise money for the Education Foundation of Lake County.

The performance will be hosted by Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnel.

It will be streamed Thursday at 7 p.m. on the Orange Blossom Opry’s Facebook page.

7. Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts reopens

The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts said it will reopen June 15.

The museum will be open Monday through Saturday. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Staff and guests are encouraged to wear a mask.

8. Orlando turns purple to recognize Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

City officials are honoring those living with Alzheimer’s by lighting up the city Saturday in recognition of the Alzheimer’s Association The Longest Day and Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.

The Longest Day is the day with the most light, also known as the summer solstice.

Orlando citizens are encouraged to wear purple and sign up to participate in The Longest Day by clicking here.

“We want Orlando area residents to know we are here for them at any time of the day or night,” said Carly Wille, Manager of The Longest Day for the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida chapter. “The Alzheimer’s Association helps families and friends navigate challenges and considerations at each stage of the disease, through face-to-face conversations with experts in local communities, our free 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900 and comprehensive support and resources on alz.org.”

9. Juneteenth

For more than 150 years, June 19 has been a day to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States.

Communities across the country will mark the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas learned that they, and all other slaves in the U.S., had been granted freedom.

Click here to learn more.


Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.