After three years of living under hazardous health conditions, James Northcote, a 90-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran received the keys to his brand-new home in Volusia County.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sites across Florida continue to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to thousands of people and University of Central Florida nursing students are playing a big role in that effort locally. UCF’s goal is to provide all nursing students who plan to graduate this spring with the opportunity to participate in at least one vaccination administration. “We are fortunate that UCF College of Nursing throughout the pandemic, has been able to maintain live clinical experiences. It’s a monumental opportunity because you’re helping proactively to support health and wellness of a pandemic,” said Kate Dorminy, UCF’s clinical coordinator. “The College of Nursing at UCF is wanting to link arm and arm and be a participant in that and we feel very fortunate that they’re letting us assist.”AdMoya graduates in May from the UCF College of Nursing, a degree she pursued after becoming a psychologist in 2016.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Teachers at Lake Whitney Elementary School in Windermere weren’t going to let the pandemic get in the way of giving their students a special Valentine’s Day. “So, they shared Valentine’s Day wishes with everybody in the class. Some of them did like breaking news, you know ,‘It’s Valentine’s Day, happy Valentine’s Day’ and jokes--telling jokes; I can’t give you Valentine’s, but I can give you jokes. Teachers at Lake Whitney Elementary School found creative ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. (Courtesy)“When the district said to think of some alternative ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day, I have to give my hats off to our teachers,” Prince said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Faith Boles is one of the thousands of live entertainment performers who was laid off from their dream job due to the coronavirus pandemic. I think 2020 taught us that you really can’t plan anything,” said Boles, who’s been a professional actor for 17 years. It breaks my heart that this pandemic has completely, you know, done this to my career but also just my industry,” Boles said. When it comes to putting food on the table, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando is helping them every Tuesday with their Supporting Hearts event. During the food entertainment events, MacKinnon said performers will dress up to greet fellow performers as they drive by to pick up food while music is played in the background.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For struggling Central Florida families, making sure their children are well-fed is something they worry about daily. Many depend on their public schools for meal assistance but in some situations they do have to pay for breakfast and lunch, an additional expense they can’t always afford. He also donated $4,500 to three elementary schools in Seminole County after the pandemic began. “I noticed on our Facebook page, community Facebook page that they mentioned there was long lines out of the schools,” Ram said. “The long lines were so they could pick up, you know, breakfast and lunch for their kids.

The Orlando Magic gave Christmas presents to a woman who lost three family members to the coronavirus. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orlando Magic gave Christmas presents to a woman who lost three family members to the coronavirus. “This is just a small token of appreciation from the Orlando Magic to make their Christmas Day actually very special. It was unbelievable and that’s what the holidays are supposed to be.”This gift from the Orlando Magic was a part of the Big Give celebration. Earlier this month, the Magic gave presents to the homeless youth of Orange County Public Schools, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida and children in District 6.

A volunteer shows a box filled with produce to be given away at a drive-up produce giveaway organized by a Des Moines food pantry, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa. Across the country, people have picked up roughly 75 million food boxes this summer through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The effort began in the spring when efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus caused food demand at restaurants and schools to plunge, leaving farmers with little choice but to dispose of produce, meat and dairy products even as millions of people desperately turned to help from overwhelmed food banks. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Located in a neighborhood of Fern Park in Seminole County is a special mailbox but not just any mailbox, it’s for the jolly man in red: Santa Claus. “We really wanted to provide hope for the kids in our community and central Florida as a whole,” Yolonda Tyler, creator of the mailbox said. As they go through the letters that have already been dropped into the mailbox, Yolonda says some are heartfelt. So that struck Amaya and I, you know, in our hearts.”And after Santa has received the letters, the elves get to work--with words of encouragement. You can follow the Little Free Library/ Santa mailbox on FB and Instagram @littlefreelibrary105142.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The spirit of Christmas came alive during the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree distribution day at the Joy Center in Orlando on Wednesday. This year the annual event meant more to some because of economic hardships tied to the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of families and seniors will receive gifts thanks to the kindness of the Central Florida community. When I first came to Florida, I had nothing, and so Salvation Army helped me. “Our biggest challenge is re-training everyone even me,” Captain Jessie Chapman, commander for the Orlando Salvation Army said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Victims of domestic violence at Harbor House will be able to shop a little easier this year for the holidays thanks to Amazon 4-star. The brick-and-mortar store located at Mall at Millenia donated dozens of top selling toys and items for women to help create a “Santa Shop” for families. “We heard Harbor House was in need of donations and we just knew we had to help and jump in,” Krista Selby, Store Manager at Amazon 4-star said. Selby said it took about 20 “Amazon elves” to pick out some of the most popular toys this holiday season for Harbor House. She said shopping this way will make things a bit easier for moms and kids at Harbor House.

Needless to say, 2020 was a tough year for most but according to crowd fundraising website GoFundMe its donations data can restore a bit of faith in humanity. Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd, started a memorial fund to provide for costs including holding a funeral for Floyd, burying him, and providing mental and grief counseling for Floyd’s family. Other top causes include Frontline Responders Fund, Justice for Breonna Taylor and Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund. Nearly 70% of all donations in 2020 were less than $50, according to GoFundMe. Despite the economic crisis plaguing much of the U.S. and the globe, GoFundMe was able to bring in over 150 million donations.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Salvation Army of Orlando’s annual Thanksgiving dinner will look a lot different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Thanksgiving Day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Salvation Army in Orlando will distribute 5,000 pre-packed Thanksgiving meals from its gymnasium on 440 W. Colonial Drive. In addition, the agency is hosting a HOPEsgiving Turkey Drive on Tuesday, two days before Thanksgiving. So you can tell this pandemic has had a very devastating effect,” Captain Ken Chapman with the Salvation Army said. It’s a reality millions across the country are still facing as we approach the holidaysBut on Tuesday, some of those struggling families felt a sense of hope with the Salvation Army’s HOPEsgiving day event.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The AdventHealth Transplant Institute is celebrating its first paired transplant involving a child. Her 4-year-old daughter, Emery Bock, underwent a kidney transplant almost three months ago. “We’re definitely happy to have had the transplant finally done.”The kidney transplant was done before Bock needed dialysis. The kidney transplant was done through a paired organ transplant process. So, we hope it may be longer than that, but she may need another transplant down the road,” Dr. Michael Angelis, a transplant surgeon and the surgical director of kidney transplant, said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando couple is honoring those who lost their battle with COVID-19 through their holiday display. It was during that time the U.S. recorded more than 220,000 deaths-- the death toll is represented in their display. Orlando couple honors victims of COVID-19 with holiday light display. “Even though those souls are lost we feel like each light brings them back to light. Now that Frank has recovered, he hopes people will keep the victims who’ve lost their battle to COVID-19 in their thoughts.

The Thanksgiving season has kicked off at Second Harvest Food Bank as 1,000 frozen turkeys were distributed throughout the community. “This comes just in time for Thanksgiving for a lot of families that are struggling in these economic times,” Second Harvest Food Bank Chief Development Officer Greg Higgerson said. “It’s going to be a big, big help,” Higgerson said. As many as 40% of the people who need help with food right now are looking for food for the first time in their lives,” Higgerson said. In addition to the frozen turkeys, Second Harvest also donated other food items to help complete Thanksgiving meals.

A west Orange County food bank is continuing to serve the community as it prepares for the holidays. Forklifts unloaded pallets of food and volunteers unboxed canned goods, pastas and cereals inside the Southeastern Food Bank warehouse in Ocoee on Saturday. Volunteers spent Saturday morning helping the food bank prepare for its “Thanksgiving Food for Families” event. Anthony said the families receiving the “Thanksgiving Food for Families” boxed meals have already been identified. Click here for more information on how you can volunteer with Southeastern Food Bank or to find food.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – At 90 years old, James Northcote, a Marine Veteran who fought in the Korean war, now finds himself fighting the mold-infested walls inside his mobile home. Northcote has been living in his mobile home in Port Orange for 18 years. In 2018, Northcote applied for assistance through the Rebuild Florida program-- offered after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc and caused extensive damage to thousands of homes across the state. Northcote tells News 6 he even mailed a check for $1,000 to Rebuild Florida back in June as part of the process. Northcote says he received a phone Wednesday from a contractor who said he had been appointed by Rebuild Florida to work on his home.

Harbor House of Central Florida, a nonprofit that helps domestic violence victims, is getting the support from some big names. It was a big day for Harbor House of Central Florida whose mission is to provide shelter and support to women who are victims of domestic abuse. My father always taught me you have to protect and provide for your women,” O’Neal said. The women and staff at Harbor House will also receive special training from Close the Gap foundation. Start bringing people closer together and start taking care of the people that need our help the most,” he said.

OCOEE, Fla. – Hundreds of families received free meals Saturday during a food distribution event in Ocoee. Steven McCraney with McCraney Property Company hosted the event at his new industrial park, Distribution 429. His company partnered with the nonprofit, Farm Share, to hold a free food giveaway event. McCraney said they could help 600 families who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. Ocoee City Commissioner Richard Firstner said he knows this will help many families get by.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Hundreds of Disney cast members and families struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic received free meals on Friday after Disney bloggers raised thousands of dollars in a virtual food drive. The Disney Tourist Blog teamed up with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to hold the virtual fundraiser. The blog launched the virtual food drive to help thousands of cast members who were furloughed or laid off. Spence said donations for this virtual food drive came from all over the country. Click here to donate to the Disney Tourist Blog virtual food drive.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For two young women, being furloughed from their dream job at the Walt Disney Company led them to do their part in hopes of making a difference in society. “Racism isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something taught,” said Kaylin Bergeson, the director of the nonprofit Diversify the Classroom. “I love learning about cultures, I love eating different foods, trying different things,” Bergeson said. “It’s been great to see honestly, just these kids, like, accepting other peoples’ cultures and getting excited about books,” Bergeson said. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation to help the furloughed Disney employees with their mission, click here.

DeLAND, Fla. – A local man was determined not to let his veteran father’s 95th birthday go unnoticed as he spent time recovering in a hospital so with a little help from social media, the WWII Marine got a full-on birthday blowout. “My father, Corporal Ernest Lee, USMC, served in several WW II Pacific campaigns and one of the last remaining liberators of Guam alive today. To let him know he is not alone and very appreciated during his 95th birthday,” the post read. Daniel Lee said his father deserved all the extra love, attention and the outpouring of support on his big day. I said, ‘It’s not the value of the balloon, it’s the feeling behind sending me the balloon’ because that just made my day, week,” Ernest Lee said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Access and exposure for children in Parramore are the goals for the head chef at a new restaurant opening Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando hotel. On Tuesday, a group of Parrramore Kidz Zone participants got to tour the new restaurant and assist with the grand opening of Knife & Spoon at the five-star hotel. The new eatery is known for its tasty steak and seafood, but for head chef Gerald Sombright, the experience for the children goes way beyond the food. The restaurant is also vowing to a give a portion of its proceeds this year to the Parramore Kidz Zone. Tuesday, he and many of the children from the Parramore Kidz Zone got to tour the hotel, fine dine at the new restaurant and speak with the head chef.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In just the past few weeks, some big names in Central Florida announced major layoffs, which puts a new pinch on area drive-thru food pantries. Greg Higgerson serves as the chief development officer at Second Harvest Food Bank, where they’re still handing out around 300,000 meals a day, which is about double their pre-pandemic workload. [TRENDING: DeSantis to lift restaurant limits in Fla. | Here’s how to track your mail-in ballot | How can I tell difference between flu and COVID-19?] “It’s the line of cars that tell us the real story out there,” he said. “It will be felt for a long time after the disease is taken care of.”A Coronavirus Disaster Relief account has been set up at Second Harvest Food Bank and you can donate here.

The New Jersey native and wedding consultant for Disney came up with the idea after seeing a Facebook post of a former Disney chef. “I thought, ‘You know, what if every working cast member did one nice thing for every furloughed cast member? Half of them are Disney cast members who have been furloughed or laid off. “Furloughed cast members are working together. The Facebook page Ear for Each Other is for Disney cast members who are struggling to make ends meet.

Two twin brothers are making a difference in their community one sock, at a time.

DELAND, Fla. – Mitchell Cleaners is doing its part to help the local community by offering to clean an outfit free of charge to those who secured a job interview. “I just kind of wanted to give back to the community and I know everybody’s had a hard time. She explained the machine makes sure there aren’t any wrinkles and gives it a good hard press that people can’t get at home. McLauchlin said there’s no end date to this free service that she said usually costs about $15.00. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando city commissioners voted this week to approve $1 million to help fund the My Brother’s Keeper program, expanding it to four new neighborhoods throughout the city. The program is a national initiative started by President Barack Obama aimed at helping minority youth reach their full potential. He said he turned his life around thanks to the My Brother’s Keeper Program. Raysean Brown also mentors kids in Parramore and is a former coordinator for the My Brother’s Keeper program. You can read more about the My Brother’s Keeper Program and ways to get involved here.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. Maria Davila, the founder of Healthy Souls International, is passionate about helping others. In 2018, Davila and her son ended up homeless. I was in a car accident and it basically left me with some injuries where I lost my jobs, Davila said. I was couch surfing, so I slept in my car about 21 days altogether but I was homeless for 10 months and two days.Her compassion for others continued to grow and she founded the nonprofit disaster relief organization called Healthy Souls International. Shes now her own boss and hired a few employees to help with her organization as it continues to flourish.

DeLAND, Fla. Employees at one Volusia County business are helping people through one of the hardest parts of their lives while making a difference in the community. Staff members at Unity Funeral Home in DeLand are helping people navigate the new way of saying goodbye to their loved ones in the age of COVID-19. Its a tough time for everybody right now, licensed funeral director Angela Dallas-Johnson said. She buried her father, grandfather and so many others, she said, thanks to the family-operated business, and she appreciates how theyre helping so many other families during these tough times. This time we're highlighting a funeral home's journey navigating loss during a pandemic, and its message of generosity that's keeping the community alive.

Elementary school students in Lake County returned to school on Monday to find their classrooms set up a little differently. See-through partitions made with PVC pipes and vinyl separate students when sitting at their desks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Timothy Totten serves as the managing partner of Final Embrace, the local business hired by the school district to build the barriers. So far weve made over 3,000 of this barrier.Partitions made by a local company to separate students in Lake County school classrooms. At school, [students] should be able to relax and have fun with their friends and by doing this, theyre able to [relax], Darden said.

Its been now five months since the performing arts and live entertainment industry halted productions across Orlando, the City Beautiful. A group of friends involved in the theater industry and St. Lukes United Methodist Church are launching the Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief initiative, or GOPAR. So, they partnered with St. Lukes United Methodist church. "A lot of people who work in the performing arts work in a gig related industry, so they work for several different companies none of which give them benefits," Wanzie said. Wanzie said GOPAR's mission is to provide financial assistance and resources to help with rent and utility payments--even with healthcare.

MELBOURNE, Fla. Two Melbourne businesswomen are putting smiles on seniors faces while trying to make a difference in their community. Luan Blinkerd and Tajma Simmons own SarahCare Melbourne, a daytime senior care facility. Blinkerd and Simmons own a SarahCare franchise which specializes in giving seniors daily activities, companionship, medical support, and entertainment. Their passion for caregiving shows as they put smiles on their participants faces every single day. SarahCare Melbourne will be hosting a food pantry in October to feed anyone who is in need of a fresh meal.

Workers with the Laundry Project, which is organized through Current Initiatives, visited the Laundry Room on Oak Ridge Road Thursday. The Laundry Project began in 2008, but events have increased after a COVID-19 relief effort was launched in March. "For a lot of families, laundry is a luxury rather than a regularity," Current Initiatives president Jason Sowell said. "Laundry becomes a burden for them, through the lens of 'Am I going to buy groceries this week or am I going to do laundry?" For more details about future events Laundry project events, visit https://laundrybycurrent.org

ORLANDO, Fla. Stephanie Bowman is the founder of One Heart for Women and Children and has operated a food pantry for more than a decade. Bowman said since March, the organization has donated one million meals to Central Floridians with the help of other partners in the community. "A million meals we were able to provide just from this pandemic, pretty crazy because we've been open 12 years and during that time last November, we had hit a million meals," Bowman explained. She said they will continue to donate food to those in need and those still struggling from COVID-19. Bowman said the One Heart for Women and Children is accepting volunteers.

Instead of teachers going inside shopping for their own supplies, it organized a curbside pickup to limit contact. The non-profit organization said there has been a 65% reduction in the number of companies running back-to-school supply drives. Drives they depend on to support teachers, many who pay out of pocket for supplies their students need to succeed. She said every dollar donated to the organization, is converted to $10 worth of school supplies distributed throughout the community. News 6 is hosting a phone bank next Aug. 27 between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to help support A Gift for Teaching.

These new challenges prompted a few University of Central Florida staff members to come together and create the Teachers for Parents Hotline. In March, when the pandemic closed Florida schools and pivoted to online learning, Morales struggled to help her children with schoolwork. We also have staff and faculty members who will address questions related to behavior, motivation, those kinds of issues.The Teachers for Parents hotline has about 35 UCF faculty and staff members available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 pm. "We do have a couple of faculty members who are speakers of Spanish who have eagerly volunteered. We have a couple of faculty and staff members who are speakers of Haitian creole," Carroll said.

In an effort to help those struggling businesses, a new ad campaign was recently launched in the city of Sanford. City leaders say the Sanfording Safely advertisement has been running on local stations with the hopes of energizing the downtown area again. Nathan Clark is the owner of Wondermade, an ice cream shop along 1st street in the heart of historic downtown Sanford. I think safely is the biggest question for people.Clark hopes the TV ad will help ease those safety concerns. Theyre wiping tables, theyre having to social distancing in between tables, theyre wearing masks.

Bill Neeley, a popular Apopka baseball coach, remains hospitalized and in a medically induced coma after testing positive for COVID-19, according to close family friends. "Coach Neeley went into the hospital with some breathing problems and they at first diagnosed him with pneumonia and then several ours later, they said he tested positive for COVID," she said. A spokesperson with Orange County Public Schools confirmed that Neeley works as a custodians in the district, and coaches junior varsity baseball at Apopka High School. Its hard to imagine life in our community without Bill Neeley. I know with social distancing it may not be an option, but I know we could fill a baseball field with how many people in our community who are pulling and rooting for coach bill, Neeley said.

Orlando firefighter Kyle Hioki was one of the dozens of Orlando firefighters who tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this summer. Once he tested negative, he decided to donate his plasma to OneBlood to help patients still suffering from the virus. Firefighter Joe Creasman said he wanted to donate plasma because he wants to potentially help victims of COVID-19 recover just like he did. If I can spend 30 minutes of my time donating my plasma to help a few people, then I'm all about it," Creasman said. More Orlando firefighters are expected to donate plasma to OneBlood on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The clinical research clinic, Accel Research Site, in DeLand, is administering the vaccine trial produced by two major pharmaceutical companies. Murphy signed up for the trial in hopes the vaccine will work in case she ever contracts the virus. Prior to receiving the first dose of the trial vaccine, patients have their blood drawn, provide a urine sample, and are given a COVID-19 test. "We would hope the vaccine will provide some immunity and the patient battles the disease more efficiently," he said. For more information about the vaccine trial and how to sign up, visit: https://accelresearchsites.com/covid-19-clinical-trials/

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. A UCF graduate is spreading messages of love, diversity, and inclusion through books. Ashleigh Taylor is a stock broker by day, but after work she brokers books. "It's definitely not my day job, but it's been a very interesting passion that I have fallen into," Taylor said. And I think that's something that teachers have so much influence over, especially through reading," she said. Anyone interested in helping with Taylors book donations or teachers who want to receive a book can contact her on Instagram @ashleighisobel.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a massive need for food assistance in Central Florida. It was a similar scene in Osceola County, where Advance Senior Center and Second Harvest Food Bank hosted a drive-thru food pantry. Since mid-March, Second Harvest Food Bank has provided 22 million meals and a new study shows they are seeing nearly 50% more people in Central Florida who are hungry. Erika Spence and Second Harvest Food Bank helped give out around 500 meals at the event. To donate to Second Harvest Food Bank, click here.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. It was a day to suit-up for those who are unemployed due to the coronavirus. Several photographers partnered with local businesses to create a pop-up studio inside the Altamonte Mall, offering free headshots for professionals who lost their jobs during the pandemic. Its all part of nationwide event called 10,000 Headshots.The complimentary headshots will be held Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the event is open to anyone currently unemployed. More than 200 photographers will participate across all 50 states, creating pop-up studios at nearly every Brookfield retail location nationwide. Those who showed up to get their picture taken said the fresh headshots will help them stand out when job hunting and applying online.

A Central Florida community dedicated to caring for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease received a donation to help stimulate those suffering from the illness. Arden Courts of Winter Springs recently received a donation of 60 Amazon Fire Tablets for their residents. “The Fullers are passionate about dementia and have lost Grandparents to Alzheimer’s disease on both sides of their family. They wanted to make this donation to the residents at Arden Courts so they would be able to communicate with loved ones while our communities are practicing social distancing protocols,” a representative with Arden Courts said. The tablets have the goal of keeping those with Alzheimer’s disease stimulated and engaged with music, cognitive apps and family photos, officials said.

274 on a waiting list for convalescent plasma treatment. With the surge of cases in Florida, OneBlood said there is a huge demand for convalescent plasma, with requests they just cant meet right now. Thats why they are encouraging anyone who has recovered from the virus to donate plasma. OneBlood says one convalescent plasma donation can help up to 3 patients and donations can go towards a specific patient. For more information on how to donate convalescent plasma, click here.

ORLANDO, Fla. As we continue to navigate this pandemic, people are finding themselves in tough spots. Green is the senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. It's a church that's dedicated to service. Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz Lutheran Church (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz Lutheran Church (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Dr. Trisha Bailey of Bailey’s Pharmacy partnered with United Foundation of Central Florida to feed families in Orange County’s Pine Hills Community on Wednesday. “Seeing all these cars, it breaks my heart that there’s so many people who are truly in need of food,” Bailey said. The executive director of the United Foundation of Central Florida, Sandra Fatmi-Hall, said they had people in the community reaching out and calling, which is why they selected the Pine Hills Community Center as the event site. Each box contains fruits, vegetables, a hot meal, along with other items, like water, milk, bread and hot dogs. “I truly wish and hope that other people, who are like myself, will jump in, so that we can continue this effort and be able to feed the community,” Bailey said.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. A Central Florida teacher just launched her first childrens book geared toward helping kids understand the realities of going back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaidor looked toward literature to help kids with those emotions. The animals went through a pandemic and are going back to school, the mother of three said. Going back to school, he was nervous that he was different, he was nervous that he did something wrong and when he gets to school his teacher brings them all together, she said. Kaidor said 20% of her book sales will go toward the Boys & Girls Clubs of America COVID-19 fund in DeLand.

ORLANDO, Fla. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses and non-profit organizations have had to shift their operating strategies to online platforms. Such was the case for Michelee Puppets, an Orlando based non-profit that puts on special shows for students in elementary and high schools in central Florida. She founded the organization 35 years ago and in order to continue engaging with kids, Conner and her team launched Puppet Chats. "What this puppet chat experience has done is amazing," McHugh said. To schedule a virtual puppet chat with Michelee Puppets, click here.

González recalled talking to friends and family in March about how COVID-19 has changed their lives and those of their small children. During her time in quarantine, she said she wrote “The Magic Of 6 Feet Away,” her first children’s book, in about 40 minutes. It’s a book González hopes will help parents talk to their children about their feelings. Something to leverage, to have a dialogue with their children that’s not as scary as listening the specifics of COVID are,” she said. To request a private book reading via Zoom, contact González via email themagicof6feetaway@yahoo.com or through her Instagram page @the_magic_of_6feet_away

OVIEDO, Fla. It was a red, white, and blue celebration for one of Oviedo's residents as he returned from New York City where he helped treat COVID-19 patients. Dozens of people from Palm Valley Community waited for Tom Judd, a Navy reserve Lt. Upon his return home, Judd got out of his car with his wife and both hopped onto one of the golf carts. The mayor of Oviedo, Megan Sladek, also presented Judd with a token of appreciation, an Oviedo key chain. Sladek jokingly said it was the closest they could do since they dont have official keys to the city.

Wednesday Hugus’ Orlando garage is jam packed these days but the pet food, pantry supplies and other essentials don’t hang around too long. "I am just a community volunteer that saw a need in our community to help those less fortunate," said Hugus. The specialist from Best Friends Animal Society reached out to neighbors to see if they needed help. It turns out the need was great, so meals were cooked, supplies were bought, and an entire network of selflessness was formed. It just really helps, it really does ... and I’m so thankful,” said Vandyk.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Salvation Army continued to do its part for the community by hosting its seventh different food distribution in Orlando on Friday. Central Floridians were lined up in downtown Orlando to get kits featuring snacks like peanut butter, apple sauce, and potato chips. More than 500 families were fed. “Whatever we can do to make life better is what we’re trying to do,” said Ken Chapman, captain of the Salvation Army of Orlando. “We’ve been very blessed with donations, the community has been very supportive, the businesses have been supportive so today was a great day because not only are we giving out some food but we’re bringing in a little bit of hope that you’re not alone.”

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The last PGA Tour event to be completed was the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando in early March. Now, in the face of the coronavirus crisis, The Arnold And Winnie Palmer Foundation is stepping in, doing its part to help those in need in Central Florida and around the country. The Palmer Foundation has provided person protective equipment, or PPE, to Orlando Heath hospitals. It’s also partnered with Florida Citrus Sports to address children’s educational needs in West Lake. Additionally, The Palmer Foundation is assisting the charities typically sponsored by the PGA Tour events that were canceled because of coronavirus.

ORLANDO, Fla. At just 15 years old, Serenity Gary is already in her 10th year of helping her community. Gary said after churches and organizations told her she was too young to go out and help, she and her grandma found a way. Her charity's mission is to assist the homeless and disabled, so that they can become self-sufficient. They thank us every time we come out here, theyre always expecting us, theyre always happy to see us, Gary said. With her mom and grandma by her side, three generations of women are impacting the live of many in downtown Orlando.

News 6 and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office are partnering with Daytona Beach nonprofit Healthy Souls International to collect food and essential supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic. Healthy Souls International (Healthy Souls International)The non-profit started after Hurricane Maria. "I’ve done disaster relief in the Bahamas, I’ve done disaster relief in Puerto Rico," Healthy Souls International founder Maria Davila said. To help their efforts, News 6 and the Sheriff’s Office will host two food and supply drives in May. “There’s people here who need help so let’s help them,” Davila said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Serving as a testing site, Camping World Stadium is playing a large role in Orlando's battle against coronavirus. Florida Citrus Sports just made a $5,000 donation to the Central Florida Diaper Bank and another in Florida’s Panhandle. It was Florida Citrus Sports' way of thanking the coach for videoconferencing with FCS members. Lending a hand to the diaper banks is not all Florida Citrus Sports is doing. Hogan tells News 6 that bringing football games to Central Florida is one part of FCS’ mission.

WINDERMERE, Fla. – With Disney World coming to a halt due to COVID-19, an employee took it upon herself to help fellow cast members in need by creating a pantry. “To be able to give back to them and to help out our fellow cast is really special,” said Lartigue, who has been collecting food since March. Cast members who have been furloughed can go to the storage unit and choose the food items they need, including toiletries like toothpaste, soap and shampoo. But before visiting the Pantry, she requests that cast members make an appointment -- and to adhere to CDC guidelines. She said she wants her fellow cast members to know it’s OK to ask for help.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando’s Harbor House provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their pets. You can do your part this weekend to help Harbor House and yourself by getting some fresh air and easy exercise. It's been postponed, so Harbor House got creative. It’s $10 and helps keep Harbor House’s on-site pet shelter going. The non-profit says it hopes to reschedule the original “Paws For Peace” walk for June or July.

ORLANDO, Fla. A local cancer patient is doing her part during the coronavirus pandemic by making masks for at risk-groups and others who are also in need. For the past two weeks, Ty Morganelli has spent most of her hours during the day sitting at a sewing machine inside her Orlando home. "My days are really busy, but I'm grateful, because I'm not bored," she said. She asked me if I wouldnt mind making a few (masks) for them and so I did, Morganelli said. With time on her hands, she's made hundreds of masks through requests on Facebook and has sent those masks across North America.

WINTER PARK, Fla. A Winter Park mom is using her sidewalk and some colorful chalk to do her part as she stays home during the pandemic. Shes bringing to life popular childhood characters with her chalk art while adding some humor to her outdoor masterpieces. The mother of two and former science teacher has drawn about six different characters and counting. "I had seen on Facebook some other people using chalk drawings with like uplifting messages," Drake said. 'Cause it is very serious but at the same time we all have to survive day-to-day.For the former science teacher, drawing is bringing her some comfort.

The two Orange County residents worked with local hospitals, like Orlando Health, to develop a list of what can be made and donated and where to take it. For example, for face shields they need the thing that attaches to the head. Your offer of producing and supplying donations of 3D printed materials and hand-sewn masks will help us diversify our resources. As of Monday, April 6, Orlando Health is accepting donations of the following community-made PPE items. Face Shield with Cap/Cover & Bottom Curved Guide – Many face shield designs are acceptable.

“This was the idea of one of our generous donors and he thought it’d be really great to thank our health care workers,” Nancy Ludin with The Jewish Pavilion said. Ludin said The Jewish Pavilion is a nonprofit organization that usually focuses on visiting and entertaining seniors at assisted living communities around Central Florida. The organization has already donated dozens of meals within the past couple of weeks amid of the coronavirus pandemic and are planning to donate more meals to health care workers this week. "We have health care workers who are doing so much to help our seniors and this is a way of saying thanks," Ludin said. The Jewish Foundation and Toasted food truck will deliver food to other health care workers in Longwood on Wednesday.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Parents everywhere know how critical diapers are, but sometimes those needed items take a backseat to other essentials. Eric Adelson is doing his part to change that and provide relief to families with little ones. These days he’s devoting much of his time to helping The National Diaper Bank Network, an organization aimed at helping parents get this essential. Statistics show one in three families struggle to provide diapers for their children. Adelson is trying to collect at many diapers as possible while encouraging others to donate to The National Diaper Bank Network’s GoFundMe page.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Despite the danger posed by COVID-19, Kids House in Seminole County continues to do their part for neglected and abused kids with help from a furry friend. She's able to support them in ways that we as therapists can't," Ashleah Zigmond, mental health counselor for Kids House said. Kids House says they're already working on other ways Jordan can be of support to them. "We've seen a marked increase in the referrals that are coming into Kids House over the last week," Conus said. "Our staff here at Kids House are stressed, too because we're worried about our kids," Conus said.

GROVELAND, Fla. – Groveland city leaders are trying to ease their residents into a new normal built by the coronavirus pandemic, and their efforts include phone calls, free sanitizer and food. “The City of Groveland is the City with Natural Charm. Citizen Check-In LineApart from making sure residents have clean hands, city leaders also created a way for residents to feel supported through what’s called a Citizen Check-In Line. Since City Hall is closed, city leaders have invested in a Ring video doorbell at its entrance to assist residents who may stop by with questions. For more information on how the City of Groveland is committed to serving its residents, visit www.groveland-fl.gov.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A coalition of restaurants has launched a new campaign aimed at helping businesses during the coronavirus outbreak. The Great American Takeout takes place Tuesday. Restaurant chains like Panera Bread, Jason’s Deli and Noodles & Company are taking part in the effort to get Americans to order takeout or delivery. The initiative comes as both local and chain restaurants are struggling to keep employees. Experts predict up to 7 million people in the restaurant industry could lose their jobs over the next three months.

Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, organized a live concert on the band’s Instagram page Monday, which inspired John Legend to do the same thing Tuesday. The best part is that Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, filmed the live concert for fans to watch all across the globe. Rock legend Neil Young announced he would be doing a virtual concert after having to cancel many upcoming tour dates because of the coronavirus. Young is calling it the “Fireside Sessions,” and the concert will be streaming live from his website, Neil Young Archives. Will we see more famous musicians turn their living rooms into intimate concert venues for their fans to watch on the internet in the comfort of their quarantined homes?

In a time when many Americans are stuck at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, celebrities and musicians are doing their part to keep entertaining fans. Garth Brooks is one of the latest singers to announce a free online concert. Brooks regularly goes live on Facebook with his “Inside Studio G” show but on Monday at 7 p.m., the country music star will be giving fans a half-hour, acoustic performance with his wife Trisha Yearwood. Get your song requests in now on his official Facebook page. love, g #StudioG Posted by Garth Brooks on Monday, March 16, 2020To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

LAKE NONA, Fla. – The Ronald McDonald House in Lake Nona is receiving a boost from a local partner as the organization makes changes to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “When this (coronavirus) crisis began, we reached out right away and said, ‘What can we do to help?’ And the immediate need, of course, was food. Chief development officer for Ronald McDonald Houses of Central Florida Jarrod Daab was ecstatic when they offered to help. At the Ronald McDonald House, visitor hours as well as volunteer groups have been suspended as federal leaders call for social distancing. Daab and those at the Ronald McDonald House are asking for support with the “Share A Meal” program available at their website.