Starting the school year on a caffeinated note just got easier for families in the Sand Lake and Horizon West areas. Southwest Orlando Young Life and Foxtail Coffee are partnering on a pair of "First Bell" morning events designed to encourage students, parents, teachers, and school staff as the new academic year gets underway.
The first event runs from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Foxtail Coffee's Sand Lake location at 7610 W Sand Lake Road in Orlando. The following morning — Wednesday, Aug. 12, same hours — the event moves to Foxtail Coffee Horizon West at 14393 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd. in Windermere. At both stops, anyone who shows up will receive a free treat and a ticket good for a complimentary coffee inside, along with a warm welcome from Young Life volunteers.
Young Life Area Director Ryder Jones emphasized that the events are about more than just free drinks. "Kids need to know they matter," he said, noting that the Windermere, Horizon West, and Dr. Phillips corridor is home to some of the fastest-growing young communities in the country. He described First Bell as a chance to encourage not only students but the adults who support them every day.
Southwest Orlando Young Life launched in 2026 as the newest Young Life area in Central Florida, focused on building real relationships with students across the corridor. The broader Young Life organization has been active since 1941.
This story was originally reported by the West Orange Times & Observer.
