121516_SWB_DIGITAL EDITION

44 x December 15, 2016 - January 4, 2017 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com
n Wet ‘n Wild’s final days
After providing a splashing good
time to countless families for 39
years, Wet ‘n Wild, located at
6200 International Drive in Orlando,
will permanently close Dec. 31.
In a message to visitors, representatives
of the amusement park said,
“We are extremely appreciative to
those that have contributed to our
success over the past 39 years. It is
fans like you that have made us so
successful and a place that families
will remember for years to come.”
For more information, visit www.
wetnwildorlando.com on the web.
n OCSA supports holiday
party for children with
special needs
Members of the Orange County
Sportsmen’s Association’s board of
directors presented a $2,500 check
to Autistic/Handicapped Children
of Central Florida Inc. to support its
43rd annual Holiday Season Party
for children with special needs. The
two groups have partnered since the
event’s inception and have brought
thousands of smiles to special needs
kids in Central Florida.
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Representatives from the Orange County Sportsmen’s Association’s board of directors and
Autistic/Handicapped Children of Central Florida, (front, l. to r.) Jennifer Martin, Mitzi
Stevens, Deborah Garson, Brian Gibson, Debra Kral, Wendy Everett, Andrew
Kral, Albert Gallof and Daniel Everett (back), gather for OCSA’s donation to the 43rd
annual Holiday Season Party for children with special needs.
The party began in the backyard
of a former OCSA president, became
a three-day event at OCSA,
and now has moved to The Pines
at Windermere to accommodate
nearly 1,500 children each
year from local schools and the surrounding
areas. The long-standing
tradition is one that the teachers
and families of these special children
look forward to each year.
It is also an opportunity for volunteers
to get engaged with the
community.
For more information, call 407-
876-2010.
n Ocoee lights its holiday tree
The city of Ocoee held its fourth annual
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
at the city’s historic Withers-Maguire
House and the Ocoee Lakeshore
Center. Attendees enjoyed games;
face painting; a fire pit with s’mores;
train, pony and carriage rides; a silent
wreath auction; live music, and more.
Santa and Mrs. Claus also visited the
Withers-Maguire House during the
evening, and The Friends of Ocoee
History Preservation gave tours of the
historic house, regaling audiences with
how holidays were celebrated during
the turn of the century. All of the excitement
centered around the lighting of a
20-foot tall tree.
For more information, visit www.
ocoee.org on the web.
n Annual Tales and Tails Gala
is a success
Earlier this fall, Canine Companions
for Independence held its 20th charity
gala, the Tales and Tails Gala,
at Rosen Shingle Creek to raise
money to help place assistance dogs,
free of charge, for people with disabilities.
The 2015 event raised more than
$385,000. This year, with the theme
of “A Star-Spangled Celebration —
Every Day Is Independence Day,” the
event drew a record-setting 735 attendees
and surpassed its fundraising
goal by 18 percent, with a total of
$465,000.
For more information, call 407-
522-3300 or visit cci.org on the web.
A record 735 guests attend Canine Companions for Independence’s Tales and Tails Gala.