Gift Giving Program
Gift Giving Program encourages residents and public to invest in Winter Park community
The City of Winter Park has enjoyed a long and varied history of altruism, which dates back to the city’s incorporation in 1887. Since that time, residents have donated such public treasures as Mead Garden, Kraft Azalea Garden, Central Park and most recently, a significant donation for the enhancement and expansion of the city’s Rose Garden in Central Park.
Many Winter Park residents, businesses and organizations have also throughout recent years generously purchased numerous lampposts and park benches along Park Avenue and in Central Park.
Hundreds of bricks have also been purchased at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market, Lake Island Park and other areas in the city through the generosity and support of residents, businesses and merchants.
All of these donations, contributions and gifts have had a significant impact on not only the city’s beauty and rich cultural heritage, but the quality of life Winter Park offers its residents and visitors alike.
In an effort to continue this tradition of giving and offer residents, businesses and others an opportunity to contribute and invest in the Winter Park community, the city recently established the City of Winter Park Gift Giving Program.
This program, which is coordinated by the City Manager’s office, will allow Winter Park residents, businesses and other interested individuals, corporations or organizations, an opportunity to make a donation to the city that may be earmarked for a specific city department, project, program, property or even a donation to the city’s newly created Park Acquisition Fund.
The Parks Acquisition Fund, developed in September 2002 by the City Commission and city staff, is a fund the city created as a way for the city and residents to purchase future park land throughout the city.
If you are interested in making a contribution to this fund, please contact City Manager Randy Knight at 407-599-3235.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Parks & Recreation Department, for instance, you can specify that your contributions be used to fund park enhancements, renovations to park facilities and buildings, drinking fountains, swings, playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, trees, plants, flower gardens, and the landscaping of medians and city parks.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Public Works Department, you may want to specify that your contribution be used to purchase new lampposts, street lights, the bricking of new roads and streets, pedestrian signals or heavy equipment.
Donations earmarked for the Planning Department could include the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, historical preservation programs, the renovation of historical buildings, as well as kiosks, sculpture, paintings, art, etc.
Donations for the Community Redevelopment Department would include the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) neighborhood enhancements, enhancements to city buildings and facilities in the CRA.
If you are interested in making a donation to the Police or Fire-Rescue Departments, your contributions could be earmarked for the purchase of new vehicles, safety equipment, new education and training programs, computer equipment, medical supplies, emergency medical equipment, video cameras,
In the Administration Department, you may want to make a donation to purchase new computer software, technology and hardware upgrades, or audiovisual equipment.
While the Winter Park Public Library is legally a non-profit corporation administratively independent of the City of Winter Park, the library does rely on the city for significant funding to cover a portion of its operating costs. Some of the items that could be funded at the library through private donations include computer and technical services, new personnel, computer terminals, digital scanning equipment, digital cameras, the library’s bi-monthly newsletter, new community outreach programs, the purchase of new books, periodicals, videos, videocassettes and other library supplies.
If you would like more information about the city’s Gift Giving Program or to make a donation or contribution to the city, please call City Manager Randy Knight at 407-599-3235 or Assistant City Manager Michelle del Valle at 407-599-3236.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.