Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association, Inc. and the Season of Giving!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Group Gives Back To Mount Dora


While the New Year celebrations have already begun to fade into our memories, some feel the celebrations are just beginning in Mount Dora. This year (2010) Mount Dora is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a city.


One group has a 15-year tradition of giving back to the community - and is stepping up to the plate again in 2010. The Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association kicked off the 100th celebration in style hosting the first ever New Year's eve party in Mount Dora's town square, Donnelly Park.


In December the Association spent nearly $35,000 to enhance Mount Dora's holiday celebrations, which included not only the New Year's Eve celebration, but  paying for the wreaths and lights on the poles throughout downtown, sponsoring the popular Christmas walk and promoting the Christmas events of other groups in town. All these holiday traditions that are favorites of residents and visitors alike are provided by the Merchants Association, according to Ana Tuttle, their treasurer.


"Many people may not be familiar with our non-profit group. Our members, all volunteers, are business owners in Mount Dora who have joined together," Leigh Love, President of the Association said.


The mission of this group is to promote Mount Dora with a focus on its historical business district. "Maintaining a vibrant downtown not only helps our businesses, it helps our community hold its value and appeal," explained Brian Young, the Association's secretary. "Without our historic downtown we are just another city."


The Merchants Association will continue to give back to the community in 2010 by sponsoring many events including the upcoming Spring Collectibles & Crafts Show, the 2010 Mount Dora Craft Fair and the 2010 Christmas Walk. "In these tough economic times, when the city government and other organization's budgets have become severely constrained, and thanks to our successful events, we continue be one of the few with the resources to advertise and promote Mount Dora as a community," Terry Abbott, promotion and events chair, explained.


For more information on the Association and 2010 sponsored events, click: www.MtDora.org


Contact:
Brian E. Young, MDVMBA Secretary
BrianEYoung@MtDora.org
(352) 735-1191