Volunteer with the District 5 Office!

Interested in making a hands-on impact in your community? Sign up to volunteer with the District 5 office! By adding your name to our volunteer list, you’ll be among the first to know about upcoming opportunities—from neighborhood cleanups and supporting homeless nonprofits to pitching in on community projects that need immediate help. This list allows us to quickly mobilize a coalition of committed individuals who are ready to serve where the need is greatest. Together, we can uplift and support the organizations and neighbors working every day to make our community stronger.

Email District5@ocfl.net with any questions.

Thank You Party for D5 Volunteers

This event is an opportunity to Celebrate our Incredible Volunteers with food, toy wrapping & music! You can bring a toy or simply help us during the wrapping party as we mingle, enjoy local food and party!

Wednesday, December 17th at 5:30 PM

Oh Hey Cafe’- 1325 Lee Rd, Orlando 32810

Holiday Toy Drive and Gift Wrapping Party

Join the Lee Road Holiday Toy Drive and Gift Wrapping Party!

The Mayors Toy Drive donates hundreds of toys to the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood to administer to the families in the extended stay hotel off of Lee Road each year and we gather to wrap them in advance. We are also collecting toy donations at Oh Hey Cafe a few days leading up to the wrapping party where we will bring volunteers together to wrap gifts before disbursing them the next day.

Meet fellow do-gooders in the community and wrap a toy for a child in need.

• Toy Drop Off: Dec. 15th – 17th between 7 AM- 7 PM
• Wrapping Party: Wed. December 17th @ 5:30 PM
• Oh Hey Cafe’ – 1325 Lee Rd, Orlando, FL 32810

Holiday Toy Distribution

Each year the Mayors Toy Drive donates toys to the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood to administer out to the families living in the extended stay hotel. During this event, we will dress up in Santa and Elves costumes and pass out the toys on site at various hotels in the Lee Road & I-4 corridor. This is a great time to pass out candy, toys and cookies for families in need. Join us in spreading Holiday Cheer!

WHEN: Thursday, December, 18th @ 5:30 PM

WHERE: Country Side Inn & Lee Gardens Hotel

District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council

Join us for the relaunch of the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council under Commissioner Kelly Semrad’s leadership!

This initiative empowers residents to shape our community by assisting with policy work, sharing updates, and driving local initiatives.

When: The Last Wednesday Evening of Each Month

Where: 201 S. Rosalind Ave Orlando Florida 32801 – Room 105

Next Meeting: January 28th 2026 @ 6:30 PM

East River HS (PD) Planned Development Community Meeting

Join the applicant, neighbors, and staff for a community meeting regarding changing school access on Story Partin Rd from emergency access arrow to a full access arrow at specified times during the school day.

East River High School Cafeteria – Thursday, December 4th, 6 PM – 7 PM

47th Annual Cracker Christmas

Please join the District Commissioner and Orange County Parks and Recreation for the 47th Annual Cracker Christmas! Catch civil war camp, weaving, wood carving, shop craft vendors, and see local community groups like 4-H and FFA.

We are also collected canned food donations at the door!

Date: December 6-7
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: 1300 Ft Christmas Rd, Christmas, FL 32709

Food Distribution in Union Park

Join the team from Lee Road Safe Neighborhood during our food distribution in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank in the Union Park Community.

WHEN: Saturday, November 15th @ 9:30 AM

WHERE: Union Park Middle School- 1844 Westfall Dr. Orlando 32817

Community Meeting- Winter Park – “Living with Coyotes”

Join state wildlife experts, city and county officials to discuss coyote behavior, safety tips, and what to do if you encounter one. This event will also be livestreamed on the Commissioner’s Facebook page.

Thursday, November 20, 2025 @ 6 – 7 PM

Winter Park Community Center – 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 32789

Wedgefield Lighting Project – Community Meeting

Join the District 5 office for an overview of a Wedgefield lighting project overview.

• November 5th at 6 PM- 7 PM
• Wedgefield K-8 School Cafeteria –3835 Bancroft Blvd, Orlando, 32833

Community Meeting: Rezoning Applicant

Orange County District 5 invites residents to attend a community meeting to discuss a proposed conventional rezoning request. The proposal seeks to rezone property from C-1 (Retail Commercial District) to C-2 (General Commercial District) to allow for outdoor storage of equipment, such as dryers and fans.

Currently, the property is split-zoned, with the east side zoned C-2 and the west side zoned C-1. While C-1 zoning allows for retail and office uses, C-2 zoning permits more intensive uses, including automotive repair and outdoor storage of equipment and vehicles.

Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Union Park Elementary School – Cafeteria: 1600 Dean Road, Orlando, FL 32825

Rural Boundary & SB 180 Townhall

Join Commissioner Semrad’s Office for a townhall on regarding the updates regarding the Rural Boundary and the impacts of Senate Bill 180. We will welcome guest speakers from 1,000 Friends of Florida and Save Rural Seminole as well as Save Orange County.

When: October 21st at 6 PM

Where: East River Falcons Way, Orlando 32833 – Media Center

Support Homeless Veterans

Join Commissioner Semrad’s Office for a volunteering opportunity to clean rooms of veterans who are currently struggling with homelessness and many of those living with disabilities who need help. This event is in Partnership with Lee Rd Safe Neighborhood and takes place at the Lee Gardens Hotel where the nonprofit State of Hope serves unhoused veterans.

When: November 1st @ 11 am – 5 PM

Where: State of Hope: 830 Lee Rd Orlando 32810

Volunteer with the Roadway Conceptual Analysis (RCA) Update Community Workshop

Orange County invites you to the Community Workshop
for the Chuluota Road Roadway Conceptual Analysis
(RCA) update. This study has examined various methods
to improve safety and operations along the project limits
from north of Colonial Drive (State Road (SR) 50) to
Lake Pickett Road.

Thursday, August 21, 2025, at East River High
School, Media Center, 650 E. River Falcons Way

Community Meeting: Rezoning Applicant

Meeting to to the Community on a rezone from R-1A (Single-Family Dwelling District) to R-1 (Single-Family Dwelling District) to split the lot and develop two detached single-family homes.

September 23rd at 6 PM – Killarney Elementary School- Media Center – 2401 Wellington Blvd Winter Park Fl 32789

Back to Cool – Ice Cream Social

Join Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad for a family-friendly Back to Cool Ice Cream Social as we celebrate the start of a new school year and support a beloved local business!

This free community event will be hosted at Smile Ice Cream, a locally owned and family-run business serving up delicious handcrafted treats right in the heart of Orlando. Come cool off, enjoy a sweet treat, and connect with neighbors, students, families, and your District 5 team.

Saturday, August 9th | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Smile Ice Cream | 4353 Edgewater Dr #400, Orlando, FL 32804

State of Homelessness Roundtable Forum

Featuring Service Driven Organizations on the frontlines of the housing crisis. This initiative empowers residents to shape our community by assisting with policy work, sharing updates, and driving local initiatives.

When: September 25th at 6 PM

Where: 201 S. Rosalind Ave Orlando Florida 32801 – Room 105

Volunteer Day and Supply Drive at the Samaritan Resource Center

Right now, the pantry at Samaritan is nearly empty and financial cuts are making it harder than ever to keep up with the growing need. Many residents in our community are facing extreme financial stress, and this center provides critical support to some of the most vulnerable among us.

Items needed include:

• Canned goods and pop-top foods
• Granola bars and other easy-to-eat items
• Baby formula and diapers
• Non-perishable food staples

Location: Samaritan Resource Center, 9837 E. Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM – Date: Saturday, August 2nd

Back to School Fair

The Community and Family Services is teaming up with Orange County District 5 Commissioner for a 2025 Back to School Fair in Bithlo! This event will occur while supplies last.

• When: Saturday, July 26th 9 AM- 12 PM
• Where: Bithlo Community Center 18501 Washington Ave Orlando 32820

Food Distribution in Bithlo

Join Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad for our Food Distribution Event on June 28th at 10 AM located at the Bithlo Community Park! This will be an opportunity to volunteer for an important cause and pass our hundreds of meals to families in need. This spectacular event is in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and the Orange County Sherriff’s Office.

When: Saturday, June 28th @ 10 AM

Where: Bithlo Community Park 18501 Washington Ave Orlando Florida 32820

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Join the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood meeting for a discussion no how to be prepared for Hurricane season and information about the Orange County RECOVERS program which provides funding for post-storm home repairs.

WHEN: June 10th @ 6 PM

WHERE: Fairview Shores Library- 902 Lee Rd Orlando Florida 32810

Hurricane Expo

Join us for the Orange County Hurricane Expo! Arrive early and meet one-on-one with emergency firstresponders, hear from Meteorologist Amy Sweezey, plus pick up FREE preparedness items while supplies last.

📅 Saturday, June 21, 2025

🕘 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.

🏫 Evans High School

📍 4949 Silver Star Rd., Orlando, FL 32808

🌀 ocfl.net/storm

State of Hope Supply Derive and Volunteer Day!

Join us on Saturday, June 14th from 10 AM – 4 PM at State of Hope (830 Lee Rd, Orlando, FL 32810) for a meaningful day of service and support for veterans with disabilities. State of Hope is an emergency shelter and extended-stay facility providing critical care and housing to those who have served our country.

We’re asking the community to come together and support in three key ways: Pantry Donations, Recreation Room Furniture/ Supplies, and Cleaning Rooms for Veterans with Disabilities.

WHEN: June 14th @ 10 AM – 4 PM

WHERE: State of Hope: 830 Orlando Florida 32810

Lee Road Community Clean Up!

Let’s come together to keep our neighborhood clean and beautiful! Join us for our bi-monthly community cleanup, where we’ll work as a team to make a positive impact.

WHEN: Saturday, May 31st @ 11 am

WHERE: Foxtail Coffee- 805 Lee Road Orlando 32810

Barnyard Banter: From Sheep Shear to my Wool Sweater

Fort Christmas Historical Park’s Barnyard Banter programs are fun and educational for all ages! On Saturday, May 17, 1-2 p.m., the program is From Sheep Shear to my Wool Sweater: a discussion about sheep’s wool and how it is processed to make clothing. This is a FREE program, open to the public.

Any hands-on activities at a Barnyard Banter events are for ages 6 and older. Questions?

See Fort Christmas Historical Park’s webpage https://bit.ly/3qoFHxH or call 407-254-9310.

Support Homeless Veterans: State of Hope Roundtable

The District 5 Office is partnering with the nonprofit State of Hope to host a Homeless Veterans Support Roundtable at Lee Gardens, an extended-stay hotel that provides housing for veterans in need. This facility is working toward becoming a full-scale emergency shelter, but after being hit by back-to-back hurricanes, it is undergoing significant repairs and is in urgent need of resources. Many veterans arrive with little to nothing—not even a can opener to access donated food. This roundtable is a chance to learn about their needs and see if we can build a team to help!

📅 Event Date: April 30, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Lee Gardens Hotel, 830 Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810

Know Your Rights Training

Join Orange County District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad for a powerful virtual event focused on knowing your rights and accessing crucial resources during times of legal and economic uncertainty.

Special Guest Speakers Include:

• Melissa Vickers, Public Defender for Orange and Osceola Counties
• Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, Executive Director, Hope CommUnity Center
  

Friday, May 16 | 5:00–6:30 PM

Streaming Live on Facebook & Discussion via Zoom (Registration Required)
    

Gopher Tortoise Day – Table with District 5

Join the Friends of Split Oak Forest for our Gopher Tortoise Day Festival, a celebration of the proclamation recognizing April 10th as an official day to honor the gopher tortoise, a threatened keystone species vital to Florida’s ecosystem.

 Date: Saturday, April 12th

Time: 9 Am – 5 PM

 Location: 12175 Clapp Simms Duda Rd 32832

Pluris-Wedgefield Water & Wastewater System Update Meetings

Orange County Utilities will be hosting two meetings for residential and commercial property owners who currently receive water and wastewater services from Pluris – Wedgefield, LLC. These meetings will provide an update on the negotiations with Pluris, which began after the Board of County Commissioners meeting on October 8, 2024. Both meetings will include the same updates and are scheduled as follows (map attached)—you do not need to attend both.

University Blvd Pedestrian Safety Study- Community Meeting

Orange County is undertaking the University Boulevard
Pedestrian/Cyclist Safety Study to address the safety and needs
of the pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users along the study
corridor, while observing the current efficiency of the roadway.

 Date: Thursday, April 3rd

Time: 6:30 PM- 7:30PM

 Location: Aloma Elementary School Cafeteria
2949 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, FL 32792

Community Meeting- Hall Road Safety Study Meeting

Orange County is conducting a Safety and Congestion Management Study to address residents’ concerns about traffic operations and safety along Hall Road. This two-lane corridor, spanning approximately 1.15 miles from University Boulevard to Aloma Avenue (S.R. 426), includes eight intersecting residential streets. The study aims to assess current conditions, identify key safety and operational challenges, and develop both short-term and long-term solutions to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for all users in the area.

When: March 27th at 6 pm – 7:30 PM

Where: Union Park Middle- 1844 Westfall Dr Orlando 32817

Community Meeting- Conventional Rezoning on Buck Road

Request: To rezone the subject property from A-2 (Farmland Rural District) to R-1 (Single-Family Dwelling District) in order to develop three detached single-family homes pending lot split approval.  The existing A-2 zoning requires half acre (1/2) lot size.  Only one home can be built on the property under A-2 zoning.  The requested R-1 zoning allows for lots measuring 5,000 square feet and 50 feet wide which would allow the applicant to do three homes.

When: March 12th at 6 PM

Where: Arbor Ridge School Media Center : 2900 Logandale Dr. Orlando 32817

Volunteer Day- Paint Party for Samaritan Resource Center

Volunteer Opportunity to support Samaritan Resource Center to Help with their painting needs & a supply Drive

 Date: Saturday, March 22nd

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

 Location: 9837 E. Colonial Dr, Orlando 32817

Community Meeting: Conventional Rezoning of 11301 East Colonial

The proposal is to change the Future Land Use Map designation of the subject property from Low-Medium Density
Residential (LMDR) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) and to change the Zoning classification from R-1A (Single-
Family Dwelling District) to R-2 (Residential District). The applicant is proposing to develop up to twelve (12) townhome
dwelling units on ~0.87 acre.

When: March 5th at 6 PM

Where: Union Park Middle School Cafeteria- 1844 Westfall Dr. Orlando 32817

Orange County Recovers: Housing Repair and Replacement Program- District 5 Listening Session

The Orange County Housing and Community Development Division is hosting community listening sessions to discuss the Hurricane Ian Housing Repair and Replacement Program – Orange County Recovers and the Hurricane Milton CDBG-DR Action Plan timeline. The Orange County Recovers program helps residents of Orange County and its municipalities repair, rebuild or replace eligible homes with remaining damage from Hurricane Ian. Applications for the Orange County Recovers program will be available onsite.

When: March 13th 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Where: Bithlo Community Center 18501 Washington Ave Orlando Florida 32820

Community Meeting- Future Land Use Amendment- Student Housing

The proposal is to change the Future Land Use Map designation of the subject property from Office (O) to High Density Residential – Student Housing (HDR – Student Housing) and a Change Determination Request (CDR) to Tract 18A of the Quadrangle PD (Planned Development District) from multi-family to student housing. The property is subject to the original Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Development Order for the Quadrangle DRI and is zoned PD allowing for 350 multi-family units (see previously approved CDR-21-06-189). The applicant is proposing to convert the approved multi-family and develop up to 763 student housing bedrooms and an associated parking garage.

When: March 6th at 6 PM

Where: Riverdale Elementary – 11301 Lokanotosa Trail Orlando 32817

March with us in the Dragon Parade!

Join Commissioner Semrad and walk in the Dragon Parade! 

When: February 16th at at 11 am (When Parade Begins)

Where: Lake Highland Drive and North Mills Ave 

Volunteers may meet and park at 10:30 am – at the Colonialtown Neighborhood Center, 1517 Lake Highland Drive

Community Meeting- FLUM Amendment: Rural to Commercial

The applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Map designation of a 2.45-acre property from Rural 1/1 (RS 1/1) to Commercial (C) and to rezone the site from C-1 (Retail Commercial District) and A-2 (Agricultural District) to C-2 Restricted (General Commercial District). The proposed development for the site is a shed sale center. Since the property is less than ten acres, this request qualifies as a small-scale amendment to the Future Land Use Map and will require two public hearings—one before the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and another before the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

WHEN: February 19th at 6:30 PM

WHERE: Castle Creek Elementary School Cafeteria- 1245 N. Avalon Park Blvd Orlando 32828

Planning and Zoning Meeting- FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT & REZONING

Request to amend the Future Land Use Map designation from Rural Settlement 1/1 (RS 1/1) to Commercial (C) and change the zoning from C-1 (Retail Commercial District) & A-2 (Farmland Rural District) to C-2 Restricted (General Commercial District) to allow general commercial uses including outdoor storage and sales. The applicant is proposing a use specializing in retail sales of sheds.

WHEN: March 20th at 9 AM

WHERE: PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (PZC)-County Commission Chambers 201 S. Rosalind Ave, 1st Floor Orlando, FL 32801

Vision 2050 Working Group: Sunshine Meeting

Join Commissioner Semrad, Cordero and Uribe for a Sunshine Meeting working group on Vision 2050.

WHEN: February 12th at 2:30 PM

WHERE: 201 S. Rosalind Ave Orlando 32801 Room 105 & FB Live

Community Meeting- FLUM Amendment: Rural to Commercial

The applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Map designation of a 2.45-acre property from Rural 1/1 (RS 1/1) to Commercial (C) and to rezone the site from C-1 (Retail Commercial District) and A-2 (Agricultural District) to C-2 Restricted (General Commercial District). The proposed development for the site is a shed sale center. Since the property is less than ten acres, this request qualifies as a small-scale amendment to the Future Land Use Map and will require two public hearings—one before the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and another before the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

WHEN: February 19th at 6:30 PM

WHERE: Castle Creek Elementary School Cafeteria- 1245 N. Avalon Park Blvd Orlando 32828

Community Meeting- CPG Borrow Pit Permit Update

The applicant is seeking approval of a revision to an existing borrow pit
excavation permit. This revision would allow importing for stockpiling and backfilling of the existing borrow pit. The stockpiled
material will be used for restoration, reselling, and backfilling. The borrow pit will stockpile approximately 100,000 cubic yards
of type I material under conditions approved by Orange County Board of County Commissioners.

WHEN: February 26th at 6 PM

WHERE: Corner Lakes Middle School Cafeteria- 1700 Chuluota Rd Orlando, 32820

Community Meeting- Community Meeting: Conventional Rezoning of 11301 East Colonial

To amend the 2004 rezoning restriction that limits this property to C-1 retail commercial uses and the C-2 use of general auto repair. Car sales is currently not permitted. A rezoning to amend the current restriction is needed in order to allow for car sales.

When: February 27th at 6 PM

Where: University High School Cafeteria- 2450 Cougar Way Orlando 32817

Community Clean Up with Lee Road Safe Neighborhood

Let’s come together to keep our neighborhood clean and beautiful! Join us for our bi-monthly community cleanup, where we’ll work as a team to make a positive impact.

 Date: Sunday, March 2nd

Time: 11:00 AM

 Location: Outside Foxtail Coffee, 805 Lee Rd, Orlando, FL 32810

FDOT Open House- 426 Safety Improvements

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a project open house about proposed improvements on State Road (S.R.) 426 (East Fairbanks Avenue/Osceola Avenue/Brewer Avenue/Aloma Avenue) from South Park Avenue to North Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park on Thursday, February 6. Attendees will have an opportunity to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions.

WHEN: February 6th at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m

WHERE: The Winter Park Events Center, Grand Ballroom, 1050 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, FL 32789

Community Meeting: Silver City Planned Development

The community is invited to attend an upcoming meeting to discuss the proposed Silver Springs Planned Development, located at the intersection of North University Blvd and North Semoran Blvd. This project includes plans for over 182 units of student housing, along with mixed-use retail spaces, designed to benefit Full Sail students and the surrounding community.

Additionally, the development will feature improvements to pedestrian safety infrastructure, enhancing accessibility and walkability in the area. Join us on January 16th at 6:00 PM at Aloma Elementary School, 2949 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida, 32792, to learn more and share your input.

Stay informed about this exciting project by signing up for updates at the link below.

Holiday Toy Wrapping Party

Join the Lee Road Safe Neighborhood Program for their annual Holiday Toy Drive & Gift Wrapping Party on December 19th at 7 PM! This festive event is part of our partnership with the Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive, aimed at bringing joy to children and families in need.