Florida's Hometown USA Program

Our Ambassador Program

Awards and Interest

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March 5, 2024 Inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame by the Educational Foundation and Lake County Schools

The Humanitarian Award from the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce - December 2023. This award recognizes an individual whose volunteer activities have improved the quality of life in the Leesburg area.

Anchor Award from the OBG Lions Club for Volunteer Service February 2021

INSPIRATION HONOR ROLL Celebrating Outstanding Individuals

September 2020

We are excited to recognize Florida's Hometown USA Program and their work among other stories of hope and resilience by frontline responders and everyday citizens who have demonstrated the courage and conviction to create positive change and tackle unique challenges in their own communities.

As part of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Celebration, we created an Inspiration Honor Roll to celebrate both acts of kindness and service that demonstrate the light that individuals bring to their communities around the world. These outstanding individuals were nominated for going above and beyond. An honoree might be a volunteer, or simply a neighbor who helped another, or even a frontline worker such as a nurse or grocery store cashier.

Honored to be recognized by the Lions Club International Organization..July 2020. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named for the founder of the LCI and is given for dedicated humanitarian service. It is the highest award given by the Lions Club.

With Florida's Lt. Governor Jeannette Nunez

Selected as one of 25 Most Fascinationg People in Pageantry by Beauty It's Everywhere National Magazine January 2019

Presented a 2018 Community Service Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women

Annual visit to Good Morning America June 2018 Always nice seeing Robin!

Visit with Florida's First Lady, Ann Scott at the Governor's Mansion March 2018

Nominated for Florida Women's Hall of Fame 2017

Invited to the Governor's Mansion 2017

January 30, 2016 Recognized by Lake Sumter State College Diversity Committee

March 30, 2015 Community Leaders Dinner - Recognized by Florida's First Lady Ann Scott at the Governor's Mansion

March 2015 - Women of Lake County History Month Recognition Ceremony at Lake Sumter State College

Top 5 Finalist for the Prestige Pageantry State Director Award at Trump International Plaza in Miami

2014 Received the Citizen's Service Before Self Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Arlington, VA

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Inducted into the Lake County Women's Hall of Fame 2013

Presented by Tim Sullivan, Lake County Commissioner

2013 Women of Distinction Finalist Award

Presented the Women of Disctintion Finalist Award at Reception

Received the Disney's VOLUNTEARS TO YOU Award 2013

Presented an Appreciation Award for our work with Head Start and the Community Action Agency. Award presented by Stacy Turner.

Florida's Hometown USA has been partnered with Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa for 24 years. Shown above is Linda and her friend, Frank on a recent visit.

Presented awards and recoginitions from state leaders by Jay Evans, Leesburg City Manager, for 25 years of service to the youth of Florida.

Linda Watts received the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award from the Leesburg Partnership.

Making A Difference Award from Mr. Jim Semesco and featured in Lake Magazine June 2011.

Received the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award by Lake Community Action Agency in appreciation of outstanding service and dedication while volunteering with Head Start and Early Head Start Programs

Linda Watts with Florida's Lt. Governor, Jeff Kottkamp at the Capitol.

Linda Watts with Juju Chang and Robin Roberts, anchors of Good Morning America in NYC.

A special award is presented to Linda Watts from Tess Wilensky! Tess thanked Ms. Linda for her hard work and dedication through the years. She also thanked her for her inspiration as she continues her goal of becoming an FBI agent. Tess interned in Washington, DC this past summer with the FBI.

Lacey Morgan recieved the 2009 Disney's Dreamers and Doers Award for her volunteer community service work. Mickey, Vanessa Rosas, WDW Ambassador and Eugene Campbell, VP of Community Relations and Minority Business surprised Lacey and presentated her award at Leesburg High School. Congratulations!

Lacey Morgan, one of our student volunteers for 2008, was chosen as Youth Volunteer of the Year at Leesburg High School for over 700 hours of volunteer service. Lacey was recognized for this award at a Lake County School Board meeting. She was also a finalist for the Lake County Volunteer of the Year Award. Lacey is shown here with Mr. Bill Miller, Pincipal of LHS and Linda Watts, Director of Floida's Hometon USA.

The award was presented to Linda by Emmanuel Tormes, Special Assistant to the Governor.

JULY 10, 2008
Governor Crist Names Linda Watts of Lake County as Point of Light
TALLAHASSEE — Governor Charlie Crist today recognized Linda Watts as this week’s Point of Light for outstanding volunteerism. For 22 years, Linda has mentored hundreds of students by encouraging them to volunteer and take pride in their community.
“Linda is helping to shape Florida’s future by investing in our most precious resource - our children” said Governor Crist. “Her enthusiasm and hard work have helped many students reach their full potential.”
In 1986, Linda founded Florida’s Hometown USA Program, a non-profit educational youth organization that reaches beyond the borders of its hometown of Leesburg to inspire a volunteer spirit within youth across Florida. The focus of their volunteer work is with children, youth, and the elderly; offering support to low-income families and to those who have been abused or neglected.

POL Certificate POL Letter

Shriners Hospital Certificate

Florida’s Hometown USA Program, Inc. was selected to receive a
2008 Disney’s Helping Kids Shine grant.
Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Grants is the premier charitable giving program for Walt Disney World Co. and provides funding for organizations that focus on four specific ways of helping children: connecting with adults, constructive use of free time, character development, and compassion. Linda and Allen Watts accepted the award.

Linda Watts received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Corrine Brown for her work with Florida’s Hometown USA Program.

On April 16, 2008, Linda Watts, Director of Florida’s Hometown USA Program, received a Congressional Recognition Plaque from Congressman Cliff Stearns. The plaque was presented at the U.S. Capitol on the House Floor of the U.S. Congress. This honor was for her 22 years of volunteer work with the youth of Florida.

Invited Guests at the Inauguration of Governor Crist

Florida's Hometown USA Program was selected to be featured in a textbook for all Florida Schools.

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