The South Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 160 local business leaders on Friday, June 17th, 2022, for our June Chamber Breakfast.

The President of Orlando Health – South Lake Hospital, Lance Sewell, informed our guests on all the projects, upcoming projects, and great successes of the past 75 years. As Orlando Health – South Lake Hospital continues to expand, they look to increase the type of services they offer while continuing to provide quality care. In March 2022, Orlando health opened the doors to their first phase of construction for the Center for Women’s Health. This expansion includes new postpartum mother and baby suites and a state-of-the-art nursery. In May 2022, Scripts Pharmacy opened on campus where they will offer a full-service retail pharmacy providing convenient and easier access to medications for both patients and team members. During Lance Sewell’s presentation, he announced the return of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Wellness Challenge beginning Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022. Registration is open. Click here for more information.

The Vice-Chair of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce from Lake-Sumter State College, Thom Kieft, presented the Ann Dupee Gem of the Hills Award to Otis Taylor of Give A Day Foundation. The Gem of the Hills Community Service Award honors residents or organizations that contribute to the South Lake community; they lend their time, efforts, and talents outside any volunteer work done for their employer.

Otis Taylor displays exceptional volunteerism in our community. His efforts allow the South Lake Chamber of Commerce to produce successful events year-round. Otis lends his time to the chamber where he facilitates the setup and breakdown of our monthly and yearly events.

As the Founder of Give a Day Foundation, his organization serves as the connector for local non-profits and businesses that need volunteers and individuals searching for volunteer opportunities. The Give a Day Foundation has successfully bridged the gap where these connections historically were arduous when searching for proficient volunteers.

Otis Taylor leads the Champion Circle mentorship program, a program where young men lacking guidance and leadership have a safe place to go; young men participate in workshops that build skills and teach life lessons. Otis also spearheads the Think Tank, where local non-profit organizations gather to share ideas and discover ways to serve South Lake.

In 2020, Otis was voted by his peers as the Ambassador of the Year. In 2021, he was recognized by the Community Foundation of South Lake as South Lake’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year and was recently awarded the Volunteer Community Service Award during the 2022 Lake County Service Awards.

Otis provides support to various organizations throughout the community where they may need assistance; he demonstrates supreme professionalism and reliability, and he has become a pleasure to work alongside. The chamber cherishes this individual and values the dedication he displays to this community.

The Executive Director of the Neighborhood Center of South Lake and our co-sponsor, Patricia Kry, informed our local business leaders about their work to eradicate hunger in Lake County. The Neighborhood Center fed over 1.5 million pounds of food in 2021. Its mission is to provide a pathway to develop, empower, and educate those with food insecurities.

This Chamber breakfast concluded with a special presentation from Caponi’s Cannolis School of the Arts. Angelo and Jennifer Caponi come with much experience teaching musical theater. Both Mr. and Mrs. Caponi have found that children that have been a part of their programs continue to talk and reminisce about them for years to come. Being a part of the performing arts is a memorable experience that helps build confidence, friendships, and a positive attitude! Caponi’s Cannolis School of the Arts offers summer camp musicals, private voice lessons, and much more. For more information, visit their website here.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Main Event Sponsor: Orlando Health South Lake Hospital

Co-Sponsors: The Neighborhood Center of South Lake

Caterer: Red Wing Restaurant

Coffee Pot & Coffee Cup Sponsor: Computer Business Consultants

Linen Sponsor: Hampton Inn

Water Sponsor: Addition Financial

Broadcast Partner: South Lake TV