When thinking about your holiday giving, consider the vibrant and diverse faces of your community: children who are battling illness and bullying, seniors who face loneliness and food insecurity, animals who are looking for loving homes and those who provide quality musical offerings and impactful, community journalism and connections. 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. Read on for our guide to local charities who are worthy of your time and dollars.

Central Florida Public Media

Central Florida Public Media’s (CFPM) mission is to empower the community through trustworthy, independent journalism and fact-based content and discussions. 

“Independent journalism is a requirement for a healthy civil society,” says Judith Smelser, president and general manager of CFPM. “Individuals and communities really need information they can trust, and the context to understand that information to make smart decisions about how to live their lives.”

CFPM, she adds, is committed to offering clarity without sensationalism, and every member of her team is a trained journalist working out in the field to obtain such information. 

“The challenge is cutting through the noise,” says Smelser. “There’s a sea of information out there. Often, the voice that’s shouting the loudest or saying the most extreme thing gets the attention. That is the opposite of what we do. The challenge is getting people to understand how we’re different.”

So, how is CFPM different? First, everything has been vetted before it reaches audiences, having gone through a professional editing process. And, as a nonprofit, there is a strong firewall between revenue generation and editorial content. 

Central Florida Public Media’s journalists at work in the field and the studio. ©Central Florida Public Media

But its role in providing a safe space for public discussions is at CFPM’s core. In addition to interacting with CFPM on the radio, through podcasts, its website, on social media and through its mobile app, the organization is now facilitating discussions in the community through One Small Step, a forum that bridges political divides by bringing those with disparate views together. 

“The idea is that two people, generally strangers with different political views, sit down together and record a facilitated conversation,” says Smelser. “Not a debate over politics but a conversation about their lives. The idea is to find common ground.” 

“So,” she adds, “we’re bringing pairs of people together from around the region and they’re having really amazing, inspiring, hopeful conversations that show how people who disagree across political or ideological lines have a lot more in common than than they have different.” 

Support CFPM this holiday season with a contribution to the general operating budget—90 percent of its funding comes from the community, via individual donations. This year, Hurricane Milton cut short CFPM’s annual fund drive—CFPM suspended the drive to focus on providing emergency information to the community. 

“We cover nine counties, so it can be difficult to predict what the greatest need is going to be from one month to the next,” says Smelser. “Supporting our general operating fund gives us the ability to be flexible and to send resources to the places and topics that most need our attention and most need us to draw the community’s attention.” 

Visit our events sidebar for information on December’s One Small Step, and engage with and support CFPM at cfpublic.org

Give Kids The World Village 

With weekly visits from the North Pole, daily gift distributions, the world’s largest life-size version of Candy Land and more than 8,400 “wish families” visiting Kissimmee each year for a carefree, cost-free weeklong getaway, Give Kids The World Village (GKTWV) more than lives up to its moniker as “the place where happiness inspires hope.” 

Designed as a much-welcomed respite from the day-to-day stresses and struggles of children with life-threatening ailments and their families, the “storybook resort” has welcomed more than 200,000 kids from around the U.S. and 76 additional countries since its inception in 1986. The concept is a simple one: To put aside doctors, treatments and hospitals for seven days filled with fun, family and joyful memories. 

Guests (including parents, siblings and caregivers) are housed in one of 166 villas located on the fully accessible site and treated to everything from ice cream for breakfast—yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!—and therapeutic horseback riding to a zero-entry pool and splash pad and the new state-of-the-art interactive STEAM WonderLab. There’s a carousel designed to accommodate wheelchairs, roving whimsical costumed characters (who also provide nightly tuck-ins), even relaxation spas for both children and adults. And all for free. 

Give Kids The World Village makes a difference in children’s lives with fairytale events.
©Give Kids The World Village

It’s a far cry from the 16 villas, pool and a playground the organization began with. Founded by hotelier Henri Landwirth (who suffered childhood trauma of his own, having survived five years in Nazi camps during World War II), the nonprofit has grown from 31 to 89 acres over the past three decades, thanks in large part to the kindness of strangers. 

“At Give Kids The World Village, we rely on the generosity of caring donors and corporate partners to accomplish our mission to create joy, inspire optimism and ignite an enduring sense of hope in the hearts of children with critical illnesses and their families,” says longtime president and CEO Pamela Landwirth. 

“Our volunteers are equally vital, not only filling up to 1,800 shifts each week, but also saving the Village $7 million annually in operating costs. We are grateful beyond words for the love and support we receive for the benefit of the precious families we serve.” 

Those volunteer shifts—ranging from serving meals to operating rides to assisting with daily gift-giving (more than 120,000 are handed out annually)—translate into 5 million-plus donated hours over the past 13 years. Proving that it truly does take a village to raise a child. gktw.org 

Harbor House of Central Florida

Originally a small hotline and shelter, Harbor House has grown into Florida’s largest emergency shelter under one roof, with 136 beds and a nine-acre campus.   

“Harbor House was one of the first domestic violence centers in the state,” says Michelle Sperzel, CEO, Harbor House of Central Florida. “It was started alongside the movement for domestic violence services itself in the United States. The movement itself is right around 50 years old, and we’ll be celebrating 50 years in 2026.” 

Today, in addition to its main campus, Harbor House has 11 satellite locations. 

“We do more than just shelter work,” says Sperzel, who notes that Harbor House advocates are located at the Orange County Courthouse, the Sheriff’s office, the Orlando Police Department and the Apopka Police Department. “We also have them within the Department of Children and Family, helping with families that are experiencing domestic violence. Then we also have additional outreach offices.” 

Every year, Harbor House helps 1,000 people with its shelter services, and an additional 4-5,000 people with those community services. 

Volunteers and community partners are an important part of Harbor House’s mission. ©Harbor House Of Central Florida

“One of our big initiatives is making sure people know ‘we’re here for you.’ Even if you don’t need emergency shelter, we have a lot of other programs—our main job is to remove as many barriers as possible to someone being able to leave the [unhealthy] relationship,” says Sperzel. 

She adds that helping to break the cycle of domestic violence before it even starts with children is also an important part of Harbor House’s mission. This year alone, it’s provided educational services to more than 1,000 children in the public school system. 

And in January, Harbor House will be working with the community to do a strategic assessment to gauge if a family justice center is needed in Orange County. 

“We want to make sure that we’re shaping and growing the services available to the kids that are on our campus, and we want to grow our youth program services so that we can do more intervention work with the youth,” says Sperzel. 

Right now, Harbor House is most in need of new linens, diapers and wipes. 

“Someone’s coming to us on the worst day of their life,” says Sperzel. “We want to make sure that they are getting something where they feel taken care of right away.” 

Gift cards are also a big need, as are volunteers to support Harbor House’s fundraisers and committees, and for people to engage with its events. To do so, visit harborhousefl.com 

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra 

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO) is literally music to our ears. 

Since its establishment in 1993, Central Florida’s professional orchestra has sought “to enrich and inspire through the transformative power of live music.” And it continues to, conducting more than 150 concerts each year at venues citywide, from the historic Plaza Live and acoustically acclaimed Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to public parks and churches—even the airport. 

Now in its 31st season, the 51-member orchestra, under the helm of music director Eric Jacobsen, counts the largest endowment of any arts institution in the region. But that doesn’t undercut the importance of public assistance in helping maintain the OPO’s core values of inclusion, excellence, education, community, innovation and sustainability. 

©Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra

“The generosity of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s patrons is essential for our year-round programming” says Katie Cassidy, director of philanthropy. “Patron generosity allows the OPO to deliver free tickets to veterans and their families, perform in children’s hospitals and serve Central Florida students. Many people don’t know that 95 percent of our education programming is completely free to our students and their families. That is 75,000 students each year!” 

Indeed, in addition to its adult-oriented Classics and Pops programming and collaborations with Opera Orlando, the Orlando Ballet and other local arts groups, the OPO seeks to broaden cultural influences available to area youth through its Young People’s Concerts, Symphony Storytime Series, Notes in Your Neighborhood program and free outdoor performances. 

There’s a two-week summer camp for musically-gifted high schoolers and virtual lessons led by symphony musicians—from cello and violin to harp and bassoon. The Instrument Petting Zoo allows students to get hands-on with music right in their classrooms, with visiting guest artists providing further education and inspiration. Locals are also invited to attend open-rehearsal performances free of charge.

“The Orlando Philharmonic believes live music is for everyone,” adds Cassidy. “And public support allows our orchestra to serve our entire community.” 

There are many ways to show that support, from online donations and endowments to annual funding events (such as the upcoming Rhapsody Gala in February, featuring Grammy-nominated composer Jeremy Kittel) and joining Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic, the OPO’s volunteer arm.

But perhaps the easiest way to aid in the orchestra’s many initiatives is by attending its concerts. Its 2025 calendar kicks off Jan. 11 with Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben” (“A Hero’s Life”). orlandophil.org

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Central Florida Public Media: One Small Step

This forum allows people from all walks of life and political backgrounds to sit down in a neutral site to have meaningful conversations about politics and their lives, to address divisions and find common ground. 

Dec. 7, 4 pm; doors open at 3:30 pm | Orlando Ballet Centre, 600 N. Formosa Drive. 

tinyurl.com/One-Small-Step-at-a-Time

Give Kids The World Village: The Village History and Holiday Tour

An intimate, 90-minute group tour led by president and CEO Pamela Landwirth through the storybook village, decked with more than 1 million lights. Dessert reception.

Dec. 4, 6, 9, 11 & 13 at 6:30 pm

Give Kids The World Village: Holiday VIP Tours

Dec. 5 at 7, 7:30 & 8 pm

Dec. 6 at 7 and 7:30 pm

Give Kids The World Village: Ice Cream for Breakfast with Santa

Make-your-own-sundae stations, holiday crafts, village attractions, miniature golf, dancing and one-on-one time with the Big Guy himself.

Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 & 21 at 11 am

gktw.org/holidays

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Home for the Holidays

Featuring Byron Stripling with Holiday Swing.

Nov. 30 at 2:30 & 7:30 pm

Holiday Harmonies

Dec. 7 at 10 and 11:30 am

Dec. 8 at 11 am and 12:30 pm

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Holiday Pops in Winter Park

Dec. 8 at 6 pm

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Holiday Pops at Della Phillips Pavilion

Dec. 14 at 6 pm

orlandophil.org/calendar

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando: Track Shack’s 26th Annual Reindeer Run

A three-mile run and costume contest. Also includes the free Rudolph Run for Kids and 40 percent off single-day admission to SeaWorld.

Dec. 14 starting at 7:15 am

secure.qgiv.com/for/reindeerrunbenefitingpetalliance