Orlando Standard

In observance of Christmas, City Hall and all city offices will be closed on December 25 and 26. Residential trash collection will also be suspended on December 25. Residents are reminded to place their carts at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26.

Last Friday, December 22, 2023, District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, along with Orlando firefighters, Orlando police officers, and Santa Claus, celebrated the 22nd annual holiday giveaway in Reeves Terrace. The event involved the distribution of nearly 130 kick scooters to children aged five to 15 who were pre-selected and live in the Reeves Terrace neighborhood. The giveaway was part of the Wheels for Kids program, which was started by Commissioner Sheehan in 2002 to provide transportation options for students in Reeves Terrace who could no longer use the bus system to go to school. Over the years, the program has successfully provided more than 2,000 bicycles and scooters with the help of generous community partners.

This year, the kick scooters were made possible thanks to donations from several organizations, including Baker Barrios Architects, Brassfield & Gorie, GAI Consultants Inc., Ustler Group of Companies, and Workscapes Inc.

The event took place at the basketball courts of the former Reeves Terrace Neighborhood Center, located at 150 Mc Jordan Avenue near East Church Street. The giveaway brought together various community partners, including the Orlando Fire Department, Orlando Police Department, Orlando Families, Parks and Recreation, Santa Claus, Orlando Housing Authority, Orlando After-School All-Stars, and the Wheels for Kids Sponsors and Partners.

Commissioner Sheehan expressed her gratitude to all the partners and sponsors for their support in making the holiday giveaway possible. She stated, "I am honored to be a part of this annual event that brings joy to the children of Reeves Terrace. The Wheels for Kids program has made a significant impact on the community over the years, and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our partners."

The event was a success, providing children in Reeves Terrace with new kick scooters just in time for the holidays. The annual giveaway continues to be a highlight of the Christmas season, bringing smiles to the faces of the young recipients.

For more information about the event or to get involved with the Wheels for Kids program, interested individuals can contact Ashley Papagni, Public Information Officer, at ashley.papagni@orlando.gov or by phone at 407.246.4275.

City Hall, located at 400 South Orange Avenue in Orlando, Florida, can be reached at 407.246.2121 from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.orlando.gov/News/Press-Releases/2023-Press-Releases/Annual-Holiday-Giveaway-to-Benefit-Reeves-Terrace-Children