Zebra Coalition founder Jeff Voss named “Everyday Hero”
In his work life, Jeff Voss is a bigwig with The Tavistock Group. Tavistock owns Lake Nona and Isleworth locally, but invests all over the world in real estate, hotels, restaurants and other ventures. In his community life, Voss is the visionary behind the Zebra Coalition, which he established to provide support to LGBT youth experiencing bullying, abuse or isolation from their families. Voss was named an “Everyday Hero” by CFN News 13 recently for his work with Zebra and support of LGBT youth. In an interview with TV reporter Ed Heiland, Voss talked about his idea for the little house on Mills Avenue where Zebra has its headquarters. “In my mind, I always had this idea of coming up with a place that kids that were LGBT could go if they needed help, for anything,” Voss said.
Maines and Miller recognized—again and again
Social media was abuzz earlier this month after the Orlando Sentinel released its 2014 listing of “Orlando Power Couples.” Winter Park interior designer Ted Maines and attorney Jeff Miller were listed amidst power pairs like “For the people” attorney John Morgan and wife Ultima, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings.Maines and Miller were the only LGBT pair named. But this isn’t the first time the duo has been named a power pair for their work to stop bullying, raise money for worthy causes and fight for marriage equality. Miller points out that before the Sentinel, Orlando Magazine listed them as the number one power couple in town. By the way, Miller says, Watermark Publisher Tom Dyer was the very first to recognize them. “That was probably six or seven years ago in an article on LGBTs “Movers and Shakers,” Miller wrote in a chat. “Always honored and humbled to be recognized!”
Awesome Foundation funds some really cool projects
Waiting for fish to bite on Lake Ivanhoe can take hours—sometimes all day. So, Brendan O’Connor came up with the idea for some artsy fish-shaped rocking chairs made of steel to provide a place for the fisherman to rest. He applied to the Orlando chapter of the Awesome Foundation for a $1,000 grant and won for January 2014. The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences was created in Boston in 2009. Board members contribute $100/month toward a project with an art, science or technology bent. The Orlando chapter, founded by “Awesome Dean” Terry Olson in July 2013, has awarded money for a mural in the Mills District, new lights for the Maitland Symphony and a train whistle music project around Lake Eola. One woman won with the idea to place disposable cameras around town with a note asking finders to take photos of their lives for a week and return the camera for an art show. “We want to support any project that brings awesomeness to the universe,” said Olson, who is also the Director of Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs. To apply for an Awesome Foundation grant, visit AwesomeFoundation.org/en/Chapters/Orlando.com
