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🌱 Patch AM: How Angel Tree is rescuing Christmas for 5,000 Orlando children

Make time for Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus on the Orlando Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
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Greetings Orlando! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Angel Tree is rescuing Christmas for 5,000 Orlando children
  • How UCF’s newest Orlando grads are tackling a brutal job market
  • Why Full Sail’s popular Cars and Coffee meetups just got shut down

Also on today's calendar: Brunch Buffet with Santa & Mrs. Claus and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Orlando? Post it to Orlando photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Nice with periods of sun, with a high of 74 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 80, low: 66.
  • Friday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 79 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. For Orlando families, Salvation Army's Angel Tree delivers ‘greatest Christmas present' (clickorlando.com) — Thousands of Orlando-area families are picking up Christmas gifts this week through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which is helping 5,000 children and 1,000 seniors locally. Parents and volunteers describe how the donations ease tough financial choices, let families focus on making memories, and ensure kids still wake up to presents despite medical bills and rising costs.
   

2. UCF grad talks tough job market as they look for first opportunities (mynews13.com) — In Orlando, newly minted UCF graduates are celebrating commencement while immediately confronting a tough local job market. One health sciences grad describes struggling to get required clinical experience, while UCF career leaders urge students to start building skills early, seek internships and research roles, and stay flexible and persistent as they chase that crucial first “yes.”
   

3. Full Sail University ends Cars and Coffee events after street racing arrests (wftv.com) — A popular Cars and Coffee meetup at Full Sail University in Orlando has been shut down after two attendees were arrested for street racing nearby, alarming organizers and law enforcement. Officials say overall street racing arrests are down, but warn that reckless stunts by a small group still endanger spectators and damage the reputation of otherwise peaceful car gatherings seeking safe places to meet.
   

4. Delivery drones make first official drop at Orlando's City Hall (fox35orlando.com) — Orlando just saw its first official drone delivery, with a Walmart and Wing drone dropping a small package to Mayor Buddy Dyer at City Hall as a test. City leaders say the technology supports Orlando’s “future-ready” plan, with a full drone delivery service targeted for early 2026 pending regulatory approval, potentially changing how residents get last-minute groceries and gifts.
   

5. ‘God was in control.' Pastor Rushes to Help After Plane Crashes into Car on Highway (beliefnet.com) — Drivers on I-95 in Orlando watched a small plane attempt an emergency landing and slam into a car, yet everyone survived with only minor injuries. A Melbourne pastor and his family, who were passing through Orlando, rushed in to help and describe the outcome as nothing short of miraculous.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 17
  • Balance & Mobility
    Altamonte Springs, FL Calendar , 624 Bills Lane , Altamonte Springs
    10:00 am
  • Open Day at the Gardens
    Nehrling Gardens Gotha, FL 34734
    10:00 am
  • Preschool Storytime - Central
    Jean Rhein Central Branch , 215 N Oxford Rd , Casselberry
    11:00 am
  • Chair Yoga
    Altamonte Springs, FL Calendar , 624 Bills Lane , Altamonte Springs
    11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Orlando PatchAM possible:

  • Got Balloons — (407) 655-3161
    We make Orlando pop with custom balloon setups for events!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Colliers announces the sale of 67,500-square-foot retail plaza in Central Florida —Missy Hurley Read on Patch
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Pum was LOST on December 14, 2025 in Orlando, FL 32803 near Hampton and Valencia Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Johnson Village)
  • Wasn’t someone looking for this car a few months ago in the Dr.Phillips area??
    Named Olaf maybe? Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat! FOUND on December 4, 2025 in Orlando, FL 32819 near Turkey Lake Rd. Sharing… (Nextdoor Bay Lakes)
  • On December 15, 2025, at approximately 4:10., Orlando Police officers arrested Tyler Feight (DOB 03/31/99) near E. Ridgewood St. and N. Summerlin... (X: OrlandoPolice)
  • He's only been retired from OCPS for a few days, but we already miss the amazing Dr. Mike Armbruster! It was hard to narrow down into one video, but... (X: OCPSnews)
  • ABM Industries, Inc. posted a job opening for Baggage Handler in Orlando. Apply here.
  • MasterCorp posted a job opening for Assistant Executive Housekeeper - Villatel Orlando in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.

Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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