September - Debbie Gaines

Debbie GainesA Walk of Love

Within minutes of meeting Debbie Gaines, you would know three things about her: she loves her neighborhood, she loves her faith and she works hard to see positive change happen. 

In 1996, Debbie purchased a home in the Lake Richmond Estates neighborhood, and in less than a year of living there she was truly in love with her neighbors and community. She started her journey by walking through the neighborhood every week meeting new people and picking up trash along the way. "I just love people!" said Debbie, "I don't pick up trash or visit with my neighbors to be seen, but because that's just who I am."

Along her walks, Debbie has learned the history of the neighborhood, met long-time residents and learned of the pride and love that the community feels for their neighborhood. She also discovered everyone's desire to live in a safe, clean place. Thanks to her weekly walks, neighbors began asking to join Debbie on her "Love Walks" to help keep the neighborhood clean and to continue spreading neighborly love.

Since then, Debbie has organized community clean-ups with Keep Orlando Beautiful, she is the past President for the Lake Richmond Estates Neighborhood Association, worked with the City of Orlando's Transportation Department to install speed humps and graduated from the City of Orlando's iLead Leadership Series.

Debbie's love for her neighborhood and continual hard work to make it a better place to live earns her a spot as our Notable Neighbor in Orlando.  #LoveOrlando

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