WHEN THINKING ABOUT YOUR HOLIDAY GIVING, consider what makes your community vibrant: the diversity of its people, the public media that sustains us, those working to stamp out hate, combat stereotypes and promote the love of our fellow man. There are many ills in our society, but we can help to correct them one donation or helping hand at a time. It’s a chance to make a difference in the lives of others, as well as our own lives. And it’s especially important this December (and beyond), when so many people around us are facing insecurities. Read on for our guide to local charities who are worthy of your time and dollars.
One Heart for Women and Children
Year Created/Founded: 2008
Mission Statement: To provide fresh, nutritious food to individuals and families facing food insecurity, no matter their background, circumstances or situation.
Who They Help: Families and individuals in Orange County facing food insecurity or who are in times of transition.
Website: helponeheart.org
One Heart volunteers organize food at a back-to-school drive. ©Brion Price
This year has been big for the equal-serve food pantry One Heart, from providing more than 78,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious foods and on-site health services with sponsors AdventHealth and Anton Rx at Feed-A-Palooza to partnering with the UF Extension Office to plan a six-month nutrition and healthy eating course launching this upcoming year.
“The support from these incredible partners has pushed, encouraged and inspired our team to dream bigger and serve our community in even greater ways,” says Stephanie Bowman, founder of One Heart.
The pantry and thrift store is driven by community sponsors and partnerships, including Jess Cervi of Junior League Greater Orlando. Cervi’s team assembled more than 100 baby hygiene kits filled with essentials, prepared more than 100 diaper and wipe kits and 500 snack packs for children to help families in need. Recovery Connections of Central Florida has also contributed to One Heart’s cause, assisting women on their recovery journey to secure jobs and cover their monthly pay.
Members of the community can support One Heart through donations or volunteering with their weekly and/or monthly food distributions.
Bowman says the coalition’s greatest needs include pantry food items in non-glass jars, including canned meats, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat soups and stews, pastas, rice, individually packed breakfast bars, shelf-stable milks, broths and baby formulas. One Heart will also be gathering donations for children’s gifts for the holidays, including two or three gifts for each child, a small gift for parents and a $50 gift card for a holiday meal.
In the coming year, the organization is focused on strengthening collaborations with other nonprofit organizations that share their mission to combat hunger and homelessness.
“We also aim to expand partnerships with reputable job placement agencies to provide our clients with sustainable employment opportunities, helping them achieve long-term stability and independence,” says Bowman.
Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida
Year Created/Founded: 1982
Mission Statement: The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center uses the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.
Who They Help: hrough extensive outreach of educational and cultural programs and exhibits, the Holocaust Center teaches the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people of all ages, religions, races, sexual orientations, abilities and backgrounds each year.
Website: hmrec.org
Exhibits and events at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center reinforce the importance of having tolerance, acceptance and respect for our fellow human beings, no matter their race, religion and background. ©The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center Of Florida. All Rights Reserved.
The importance of educating the community about tolerance, acceptance and respect for our fellow human beings, no matter their background, race or religion, has reached a critical time in the United States.
“Every generation has to be taught these principles, specifically through the lessons of history, because the consequences of societal hatred can be catastrophic, as happened in Europe in the 1930s and ‘40s,” says Jim and Val Shapiro, leaders and volunteers at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida (HMREC). “We are the only organization in our community to have this encompassing mission.”
Hate, the Shapiros say, is rising in Florida, citing a 2025 study by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which found that Florida leads the nation in hate groups, with more than 100 active in the state. In addition, hate crimes have significantly increased, rising 36 percent in reported incidents between 2022 and 2023, with the most alarming jump being a 94 percent increase in anti-Jewish incidents in 2023.
In 2024, Florida ranked 5th in the nation for antisemitic incidents.
It takes community involvement to turn these numbers around. HMREC recently developed CitizenU, an ethics-based training program for law enforcement cadets. CitizenU looks at the role police played in the Holocaust and uses scenario-based training and resources from the U.S. Attorney’s office to address ethics issues in modern day policing.
In addition, it’s built special creative collaborations with Opera Orlando and Orlando Shakes and is proud of the impact the Holocaust Center is making with teachers and students in Central Florida.
“We strongly encourage educators to be part of the Teacher’s Institute in June 2026,” say the Shapiros. “Holocaust education is mandated in the state of Florida, and HMREC is the only organization in Central Florida equipped to support teachers with curriculum and resources.”
“We also invite everyone to visit HMREC to see the newly imagined and technology-enhanced demonstration site in the main gallery starting in mid-January,” they add. “The core and temporary exhibits and all other programming are open to all learners and is always free.”
Currently, HMREC needs continued support and funding to implement technology-based learning platforms, develop traveling exhibits and teaching trunks and expand law officer and teacher programs state-wide. HMREC is also working diligently to record the stories of Florida’s Holocaust Survivors so that these testimonies will be preserved for the future.
The LGBT+ Center Orlando
Year Created/Founded: 1978
Mission Statement: To promote and empower the LGBT+ community and its allies through advocacy, education, information and support.
Who They Help: The LGBT+ Center Orlando helps a broad range of people, primarily those in the LGBT+ community, but also their allies and others seeking support including youth, seniors, people living with HIV, people needing mental health support and individuals affected by trauma/violence.
Website: thecenterorlando.org
The LGBT+ Center Orlando helps those in the LGBT+ community and their allies through advocacy, education, information and support. It is focused on sustaining funding and program continuity after losing nearly $183,000 in grants this year. : ©LGBT+ Center Orlando
Despite the recent closure of its Kissimmee office and testing location, The LGBT+ Center Orlando continues to provide efficient care and support for Orlando’s LGBT+ community.
Recently, the organization partnered with Talk, Test, Treat Central Florida to serve as the fiscal sponsor of A Walk For Change, a collaborative HIV care and prevention fundraiser.
The Center provided financial oversight, event infrastructure and coordination for 14 beneficiary agencies across Florida, allowing each organization to focus on outreach and fundraising while ensuring accountability and impact.
“Together, this partnership amplifies resources, reduces administrative burden for smaller nonprofits and demonstrates a united front in improving the continuum of HIV care statewide,” chief development officer Amanda Spradlin says.
The organization’s greatest needs, says Spradlin, center on sustaining funding and programcontinuity after losing nearly $183,000 in grants this year. These cuts affect the vital services The Center provides, including free HIV testing, mental health counseling, the Pride Pantry and trauma-informed case management services. These services will be top priority for the organization in the coming year, as well as supporting trans and non-binary individuals in need of legal name changes, documentation assistance and navigating access to gender-affirming care.
Spradlin says volunteers are always needed for the Pride Pantry and community events. Local artists can also showcase their work at The Center’s monthly art shows to celebrate and build community. She also encourages people to attend events, support third-party fundraisers across Central Florida and spread the word about their services.
Donations, adds Spradlin, are more critical than ever following the federal funding cuts that led to the Kissimmee location’s closure—which first opened in 2018 to help support the local LGBT+ community in Osceola County following the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub.
“When public funding falls short, it is individual donors, foundations and corporate partners who make it possible for us to continue meeting the needs of Central Florida’s LGBT+ community and allies,” Spradlin says. “Every contribution, whether large or small, helps keep our doors open, our programs available and our most vulnerable neighbors supported.”
WUCF
Year Created/Founded: WUCF TV, 2012 | WUCF Jazz, 1979
Mission Statement: We Change Lives.
Who They Help: WUCF exists for the people of Central Florida.
Website: wucf.org
Behind the scenes at WUCF’s control room, the audiovisual nerve center where shows come together for broadcast.
Through strong local partnerships and community-driven content, WUCF, Central Florida’s PBS station, works every day to inspire learning, foster belonging and build a more connected, informed and uplifted Central Florida. It brings high-quality programming to nearly five million residents across the region and broadcasts from the University of Central Florida.
In the age of social media, streaming platforms and 24-hour news cycles, you might wonder: Why does public media still matter? It’s simple, says Jennifer Cook, WUCF’s executive director.
“Public media matters because local stations serve local communities,” Cook adds. “At WUCF, our mission goes far beyond delivering programs. We exist to change lives, create community connections and provide commercial-free access to reliable information, education and culture.”
WUCF’s free, research-based educational content like “Meet the Helpers” and “On My Way to K,” for example, empowers and equips parents and caregivers to support children’s learning and growth.
“Through television programs, interactive games, mobile apps and hands-on activities, we set children—particularly in low-income areas—on a path to school and lifetime success, all at no cost to families,” says Cook.
Since its (and every other) public media station is locally managed, WUCF can tailor content and services to meet the unique needs of Central Florida.
Right now, WUCF is focusing on several key initiatives to make a difference in the lives of the Central Florida community:
• America250: WUCF highlights the importance of history—partnering with national storytellers like Ken Burns and creates local programming that encourages reflection on our shared civic identity as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
• Lifelong Learning: WUCF continues to prioritize education for all ages, ensuring that children, families and lifelong learners have access to resources and content that support growth, literacy and opportunity.
• Preserving Florida’s Stories: WUCF shines a spotlight on Florida history through its award-winning “Florida Road Trip” series, which preserves and shares the stories that have shaped the region’s heritage.
Right now, WUCF needs funding to expand early learning programs in under-resourced communities, sustain local storytelling and to stay commercial free and accessible to all, regardless of income.
“As public funding faces new threats, individual gifts are more critical than ever,” says Cook. “Your support ensures that families across our region can continue to rely on WUCF as a trusted source of learning, culture and connection. Your gift does more than keep us on the airwaves; it keeps a child learning, a family informed and the community connected.”
You can also get engaged by signing up for WUCF’s email list for updates on your favorite shows and invitations to local events such as Be My Neighbor Day, Book Bash and WUCF Premiere Screenings. Or volunteer to help out at a family-friendly festival or educational outreach programs.
“We are always looking for advocates to help serve as ambassadors in Central Florida,” says Cook. “Advocacy starts with connection.”