About Embrace of Celebration

Embrace of Celebration began long before the organization had a name.

 

Our founder, Bettina Grzeskowiak, came to the United States from Hannover, Germany. After settling in Celebration, Florida, she experienced the kindness and support of the community and felt a deep calling to give back.

 

Over time, Bettina began noticing the hidden struggles many families faced — hunger, illness, depression, and financial hardship. With a heart to help, she started gathering caring friends in the community to talk about how they could make a difference together.

 

Those small conversations soon turned into action.

 

The group organized small community events, collected clothing, and distributed food to families facing difficult times. As more neighbors, volunteers, and local partners joined the effort, the vision grew into something much larger.

 

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Embrace of Celebration officially launched as a nonprofit. What began with Bettina making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and delivering them from her minivan to families living in hotels along Highway 192 quickly grew into a community movement of compassion.

 

Today, Embrace of Celebration serves more than 10,000 people each month through food distribution, school partnerships, youth volunteer programs, and community events.

 

Through partnerships with organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, local schools, churches, and businesses, Embrace distributes thousands of pounds of food and essential supplies to families in need across Osceola County.

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Our Programs

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Community Outreach Program

Weekly food and essential supply distributions for families living in hotels and struggling households along Highway 192 in Kissimmee and surrounding areas.

 

School Support Program

Supporting school food markets with fresh and nutritious food so students have access to healthy choices.

 

Embrace High School Clubs

Students come together through Embrace clubs to volunteer, organize service projects, and find creative ways to make their communities better. These clubs empower young leaders to serve others while earning volunteer hours and building compassion and leadership skills.

 

Holiday & Community Events

Throughout the year, Embrace hosts special events for families living in local hotels and in our community, including Easter celebrations, holiday gatherings, and seasonal outreach events that bring joy, meals, and gifts to children and families who may otherwise go without.

 

Community Events & Music Festival

Embrace also brings the community together through events such as the annual Embrace of Celebration Music Festival, a free community event that raises awareness and support for families in need.

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What started with one woman, one minivan, and a few peanut butter sandwiches has grown into a powerful network of volunteers, students, donors, and community partners working together to serve others.

 

At Embrace we believe that kindness in action can transform lives — because everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and embraced.