The Friends of the Cooper Memorial Library Summer Book Sale will be held on Friday (July 31), Saturday (August 1), and Monday (August 3), from 9 am until 3 pm in the Community Room, room 108, at Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont. 

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Inspired by Groveland’s founding year, the Gala will transport guests back to the Roaring Twenties with a curated “Put on the Ritz” theme. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the era’s glamour by dressing in semi-formal, cocktail, or period attire as they enjoy an evening filled with elegance, community charm, and a spirit of compassion.

Organizers describe the event as an immersive experience centered around “Fun. Fantasy. Community. Charm. Caring. Compassion.” The evening will bring residents, business leaders, and community supporters together to celebrate Groveland’s past while investing in its future.

All proceeds from the Gala will benefit The Neighborhood Center of South Lake, whose vision is to empower a healthy community under the guiding belief that “Because No One Should Go Hungry.” Funds raised will help ensure families have food on their tables, children receive nourishment during school breaks, and individuals gain access to resources that promote long-term self-sufficiency and stability. 

The Founders’ Gala will be held on October 10, at the Nathaniel Community Gymnasium, located at 13806 State Road 33 in Groveland. Ticket prices range from $161.90 to $188.58.

Registration and ticket information are available at Groveland Founders’ Gala Eventbrite Page.

Community members interested in supporting the event or learning more about The Neighborhood Center of South Lake can visit The Neighborhood Center of South Lake.

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The Live Well Foundation of South Lake (LWFSL) will open its fall 2026 Critical Issue Targeted Grant cycle the week of July 13, focusing on mortality and life expectancy in South Lake County. This is the third of four grant cycles the Foundation is running in 2026, and it invites eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, with multi-year grants exceeding $250,000 considered on a case-by-case basis.

This cycle targets projects that improve health care access, expand specialty health services, and address the leading causes of death identified by the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory illness, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

The Foundation is prioritizing proposals in four key areas: access to timely and quality care, chronic disease management and prevention, preventable death reduction, and health equity and disparity reduction. Applicants are encouraged to design projects that close life expectancy gaps linked to race, income, geography, disability or other social determinants of health.

“Each cycle this year has let us delve into a different piece of what it means to live well in South Lake,” said Susan McLean, Grants Chair for the Live Well Foundation of South Lake. “This fall, we’re focused on the issues that most directly affect how long and how well our neighbors live. We’re looking for partners who are ready to create lasting change.”

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) or Section 509(a) organizations with more than three years of IRS Form 990 filings, serving residents of Clermont, Groveland, Mascotte, Montverde, Minneola, the Four Corners area, or unincorporated South Lake County. Organizations must demonstrate strong infrastructure, clear evaluation plans, and sustainability strategies that extend beyond the grant period.

Key Dates:

• RFP Release: Week of July 13, 2026
• Application Deadline: August 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
• Applicant Interviews: September 10, 2026 (by invitation)
• Award Notifications: Week of September 22, 2026

Interested organizations must register through the Foundation’s Grants Portal at grantinterface.com to complete an application. Incomplete or late applications cannot be accepted. Organizations with questions about the application process can contact the Foundation at Grant@LWFSL.org or Donna.Kirtland@lwfsl.org.

About Live Well Foundation of South Lake – Established in 2019, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is a private 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to improving the health and wellness of South Lake County. The Foundation fulfills its mission through strategic grantmaking that supports sustainable, community-based initiatives focused on long-term impact.

Live Well Foundation of South Lake – invests in solutions that strengthen individual and community well-being, guided by a commitment to measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship. Its work is grounded in a simple return on investment: better health, for life.

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The van will serve children, adolescents, and adults with physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities, removing transportation as a barrier to participation in adaptive sports, therapeutic education, and vocational training. Program leaders project a 25 percent increase in participation and a 50 percent reduction in service delivery barriers as a result of the initiative.

The project will also support more than 12 community outreach events annually, expanding awareness of available services across the county. The initiative aligns with priorities identified in the Lake County Community Health Needs Assessment, targeting social determinants of health for vulnerable populations.

The Magruder Foundation is providing additional support for the project.

“This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible community,” said Susan McLean, grants committee chair for the Live Well Foundation of South Lake. “By supporting innovative solutions like Wheels of Inclusion, we are helping ensure that individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to participate, thrive, and succeed.”

The Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Foundation operates Dreamplex, which provides inclusive programming and removes barriers to services for people with disabilities and their families in the region.

For more information about the Live Well Foundation of South Lake and its grantmaking initiatives, visit www.lwfsl.org.

About Live Well Foundation of South Lake

Established in 2019, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is a private 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to improving the health and wellness of South Lake County. The Foundation fulfills its mission through strategic grantmaking that supports sustainable, community-based initiatives focused on long-term impact.

Live Well Foundation of South Lake invests in solutions that strengthen individual and community well-being, guided by a commitment to measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship. Its work is grounded in a simple return on investment: better health, for life.

The post Central Florida Dreamplex to Launch Mobile Outreach Program Bringing Adaptive Services to People with Disabilities in South Lake County appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

A spirit of celebration and community filled the air as the South Lake Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Building Blocks, located at 644 Gadson Street in Groveland—an inspiring nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with developmental disabilities.

Led by Executive Director Jillian Powell, Building Blocks is making a meaningful impact across Lake County by fostering independence, personal growth, and a strong sense of community for the individuals it serves. The organization currently supports approximately 70 adults, with participants evenly split between those living in group homes and those residing with their families.

Building Blocks offers a comprehensive day training program designed around individualized curricula, personalized goals, and coordinated care. Participants engage in a variety of enriching activities that build confidence and independence, including developing social skills, learning healthy lifestyle habits, and gaining essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, and personal care. The program also emphasizes language development, practical math skills, sign language, and fitness—ensuring a well-rounded approach for adults who have aged out of the traditional school system.

The ribbon cutting celebration also highlighted the unveiling of a beautiful new outdoor patio and garden space, created in honor of Earth Day. This inviting space was made possible through the generous support of the Live Well Foundation of South Lake and will serve as a hub for outdoor learning, relaxation, and community connection.

Looking ahead, Building Blocks has exciting plans to expand its front building and host future farmers markets featuring plants, fruits, and vegetables grown by program participants—further enhancing opportunities for hands-on learning and community engagement.

Building Blocks continues to be a vital resource in Lake County, providing compassionate care and practical tools that empower adults with developmental disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.

To learn more about Building Blocks, visit https://buildingblocksfl.com or call 352-536-9264.

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by Grace Rabano & the Clermont Garden Club

 

If you stroll the grounds of the Clermont Garden Club at 849 West Ave in historic downtown Clermont, you will spy 2 new beautiful wooden benches in the gardens. The benches were made and gifted to the Clermont Garden Club by Brendon Fagan as part of his Eagle Scout project. Being an Eagle Scout is the highest rank in scouting, achieved by executing a significant service project in the community. Only 6% of Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Brendon Fagan, of Scout Troop #268, contacted the Clermont Garden Club about a year ago inquiring about projects he can do for the club. It was decided that the club could use a couple of outdoor benches for visitors to sit, relax, and enjoy the gardens. Brendon planned the project, purchased all materials, constructed 2 wooden benches and installed them on pavers on the grounds of the garden club. He demonstrated leadership and coordinate help from 4-5 other scouts. A total of 46 hours was needed for Brendon to complete this Eagle project.

The Clermont Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is grateful for Brendon Fagan’s generous gift to the club.

 

Come visit the Clermont Garden Club during an upcoming free special club event:

• ART STROLL on Sat., April 11, 2026 at 10 am to 3 pm: In collaboration with the South Lake Art League, garden art will be showcased throughout the clubhouse grounds. There will be raffles, free kids’ crafts table and scavenger hunt! See attached photos of the beautiful garden art featured at the Art Stroll last Fall.

 

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