Light Orlando’s Summer of Service 2026: Showing Up, Serving Together & Making an Impact

As summer comes to an end, we’re taking a moment to look back on an incredible 2026 Summer of Service season!

Each year, Light Orlando’s Summer of Service campaign provides an opportunity to inspire volunteerism, strengthen community partnerships, and shine a light on the organizations and individuals working every day to make Central Florida a better place.

This summer, Light Orlando had the opportunity to attend, host, sponsor, volunteer, and participate in an incredible variety of events and service initiatives throughout our community. And we didn’t just participate; we helped connect our community with even more opportunities to serve.

Throughout the 2026 Summer of Service season, we shared more than 275 service initiatives through our Facebook Stories, helping our community discover organizations, events, and volunteer opportunities happening across Central Florida.

What Is Summer of Service?

Summer of Service is Light Orlando’s annual community engagement campaign designed to inspire people to get involved, strengthen partnerships, and spotlight the incredible work happening throughout Central Florida.

Light Orlando’s Summer of Service campaign provides an opportunity to inspire volunteerism, strengthen community partnerships, and shine a light on the organizations and individuals working every day to make Central Florida a better place.

We believe that when people come together around a shared purpose, their collective impact can transform communities.

Through storytelling, volunteer opportunities, educational events, sponsorships, and community partnerships, Summer of Service creates a platform to connect people with meaningful ways to serve while celebrating the organizations and individuals already making a difference every day.

A Summer of Serving Together

This summer, our Light Orlando team had the opportunity to engage with organizations and community leaders across Central Florida in a variety of meaningful ways.

Building for Students

We kicked off our service efforts by helping build more than 1,600 backpacks during our Annual Backpack Build. Youth from the Hamlin Ward of the Winter Garden Stake came together to help prepare backpacks for students in our community.

Fighting Hunger

Light Orlando’s Summer of Service campaign provides an opportunity to inspire volunteerism, strengthen community partnerships, and shine a light on the organizations and individuals working every day to make Central Florida a better place.

We once again came together for Light Orlando’s Annual Hunger Project: One Million Meal Build, helping assemble more than one million meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Supporting Employment

We attended two job fairs in partnership with Central Florida Employment Connections, helping connect individuals with employment resources and opportunities.

Serving Alongside Local Organizations

Throughout the summer, we had the opportunity to serve alongside incredible community partners, including:

• Participating in the Salvation Army’s Homeless Ministry each Tuesday morning

• Attending Experience Christian Center’s Christmas in July

• Participating in Feed-a-Palooza with One Heart for Women and Children

• Attending and volunteering at three food distributions in partnership with One Heart for Women and Children

• Building picnic tables alongside the Christian Service Center

• Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Catholic Charities of Central Florida’s newest food pantry in East Orlando

• Touring Winnie Palmer Hospital

• Participating in the Week of the Family Partner Luncheon

Strengthening Community Partnerships

Summer of Service also gave us the opportunity to show up for community organizations and initiatives through sponsorships, educational events, and civic engagement.

This summer, we:

• Sponsored the Dueling Dragons “Korntoss” Tournament in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Orlando

• Attended and sponsored the Homeless Education Summit in partnership with Orange County Public Schools

• Attended the Orange County State of the County Address

• Attended the City of Orlando State of the City Address

• Attended the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

• Participated in security training in partnership with Vision Orlando

Each of these opportunities provided a chance to learn, connect, support, and better understand the needs and resources within the communities we serve.

More Than a Season of Service

While Summer of Service officially takes place during the summer months, the heart of this campaign represents something we believe in year-round: service is stronger when we do it together.

From packing backpacks and building meals to supporting food distributions, attending community events, learning from local leaders, and standing alongside organizations serving our neighbors, this summer reminded us just how much can happen when people are willing to show up.

We’re grateful for every volunteer, organization, community leader, partner, and supporter who helped make this Summer of Service possible; and for the many organizations across Central Florida that continue to serve their communities every single day.

• 275+ service initiatives shared

• 1,600+ backpacks built.

• 1 million+ meals built.

• Countless partnerships, conversations, volunteer hours, and opportunities to serve.

That’s what happens when we choose to Deliver Hope, Together.

As we close out Summer of Service 2026, we’re already looking forward to what’s ahead throughout the year into next summer! Until then, let’s keep showing up, serving together, and shining a light throughout Central Florida.