Team Taiwan in Orlando is thrilled to announce the resumption of its park adoption volunteer program after a temporary suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 2nd, Sheryl Fleming, the site supervisor of South Econ Community Park, held an orientation and the first volunteer service for Team Taiwan at the park’s Renaissance Community Senior Center. The event was attended by Director General Charles Chou, Jasmine Tsai, and Maria Liu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, local media, and more than 30 local volunteers, marking the first service after the pandemic hiatus.
During the orientation, Sheryl Fleming provided an overview of the park, highlighting its impressive features. Covering 62 acres of land, the park boasts of well-maintained and scenic landscapes and offers a wide range of amenities suitable for people of all ages, from newborns to seniors up to the age of 99. These amenities include a playground, outdoor basketball court, indoor and outdoor sports fields, as well as the Renaissance Community Senior Center equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Director General Charles Chou delivered his enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity to contribute as a volunteer to this meaningful community service project. He was pleased to see the Taiwanese community coming together to make a positive impact on the local society by beautifying South Econ Community Park. Through the collective effort of volunteers, the park will transform into an even more enjoyable and attractive space for all visitors. Director General Chou also hopes to see more individuals joining the effort to make a difference in the community.
After the orientation, the first volunteer service of the year officially began with a group of enthusiastic volunteers who were eager to make a difference. The volunteers painted lines in the parking lot, picked up trash, raked leaves and diligently cleaned park service trucks to make the environment even more presentable.
In the next stage of the program, the volunteer team will be divided into three groups, and each group will take turns cleaning the park once a month. If the whole team continues to complete 40 hours of volunteer work within three months, the “Team Taiwan” sign will continue to stand proudly in the park as a testament to their hard work and dedication.
After continuing to volunteer for half a year, the park will recognize the team on its website, acknowledging their valuable contribution to the community. And if people continuously volunteer for a full year, the County Park Board Meeting will invite the team to attend and commend their efforts, recognizing them for their selfless service and commitment.
The program, which was launched in 2019 as a community service project to beautify South Econ Community Park, has been a great success thanks to the support and participation of Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American individuals in Orlando. The program was initiated by Jack Kao and Junji Hsiao, president of Taiwanese Association of America Greater Orlando in 2019, with the shared goal of bringing together like-minded individuals who love and support Taiwan to serve their local community and showcase the unity and affection of Taiwan in the United States. The project faced several challenges during its application to Orange County’s Adopt the Park program, but with the help of park supervisor Sheryl Fleming, the application was ultimately approved.
This volunteer program welcomes anyone who is willing to participate and contribute to making the community a better place. Together, we can create a cleaner and more beautiful environment for all to enjoy.
