Osceola commissioners report back-to-school giveaways, resource fair and senior events

At a meeting of the Osceola Board of County Commissioners, several commissioners reported on recent community outreach events: backpack giveaways, a government resource fair, a back-to-school distribution and an upcoming senior event.

Commissioner Green said staff stepped in to run her backpack giveaway while she was ill; she estimated the event distributed about “300 or 400” backpacks filled with school supplies and said, “Kids were delighted as usual.” Commissioner Scharke and Commissioner Arrington reported their back-to-school event at Osceola Heritage Park helped “probably around 5,600 families” with backpacks and school supplies; Salvation Army and the sheriff's department were listed as partners.

Commissioner Booth said she attended the Florida Agritourism Association conference in Kissimmee on July 21 and welcomed attendees on behalf of the commission, noting the group's role in supporting small farmers and ranchers and local tourism. Booth also acknowledged the retirement of Major Robbie Alderman of the Osceola County Sheriff—s Department after 34 years of service; she thanked Sheriff Blackman for hosting a retirement event.

Commissioner Arrington thanked staff and vendors for a Valencia College government resource fair, and said the board will likely repeat the event next year. Commissioners announced a senior "game time" on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Robert Guevara Community Center.

No formal board action was taken on these reports; they were delivered during commissioner reports near the end of the meeting.