Holiday drinkers who have one — or more — too many beers, cocktails or spiked eggnogs this holiday season will have a free way to get themselves and their vehicles home without putting anyone in danger.

AAA — The Auto Club Group is again running its life-saving “Tow to Go” program, which provides a confidential tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.

It’s open to both AAA members and non-members at zero cost as a last-resort safety net in the absence of another option, like a designated driver, rideshare or public transportation.

“The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it also carries a greater risk of impaired driving,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in a statement.

“AAA urges Floridians to plan ahead and make responsible choices to keep the holidays both safe and festive. Tow to Go is our gift to the community, ensuring everyone gets home safely to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.”

“Tow to Go” — available in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte) and Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend) — runs from 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 2.

Using the service is easy. Motorists just need to call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO.

The service cannot be scheduled in advance and should only be used as a backup plan, AAA said.

Since “Tow to Go” launched in 1998, the organization said it has removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the road.

Alcohol-impaired driving contributes to 1 in 3 U.S. traffic deaths, and December is a particularly deadly month. In December 2023, the most recent data year available, 1,038 people died in drunk driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

From 2019 to 2023, the NHTSA recorded nearly 5,000 deaths in drunk driving accidents during December.

“The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round,” the organization said, “but for many, most strongly during the holidays.”

So, why risk it? You shouldn’t. While celebrating and handing out gifts this holiday season, do yourself and others a kindness if you’ve had some drinks: Eschew the keys, and pick up the phone.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ holiday toy drive collected a record-breaking 13,076 items to help kids in need this year.

The County credited “the community’s unprecedented generosity” and a $20,000 donation from Sam’s Club for surpassing last year’s efforts, which raised nearly 11,000 toys in 2024.

“Thank you, Orange County, for coming together to support our neighbors in need,” Demings wrote on the social media platform X.

Demings played Santa and helped deliver toys to some of the families in the drive-through pickup line. With Christmas lights around his neck, Demings placed a shiny red bicycle and bags of gifts in people’s cars, according to the Orlando Sentinel, which documented the event at Barnett Park last week.

The Mayor’s annual toy drive has been a tradition for 15 years in Orange County and has collected an impressive 110,000 gifts over the years for young people, ranging from infants to teenagers. 

The county is distributing gifts to Wraparound Orange, Orange County Public Schools Kids’ Closet, and local nonprofit organizations to reach families in need. People can donate in several ways: drop off toys at locations across the county, buy toys online, or attend a one-day “Shop and Drop” event sponsored by FOX 35.

“Each toy donated represents more than a gift; it’s a reminder that our community cares,” Demings said in a statement from last month. “When we come together to give, we lift spirits and bring hope to families across Orange County.”

The holiday toy drive comes with Christmas just around the corner.

For Central Florida, the festive celebrations are in full swing at the theme parks, the smaller attractions and public parks in  Orlando. 

And there’s extra holiday cheer in state offices since Gov. Ron DeSantis gave some state employees extra paid time off on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, in addition to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Stephanie Ziglar said she is running for Orange County Commission because she wants to help support businesses after seeing many of them struggle with a lack of government support.

Ziglar, the Curry Ford West Main Street District Executive Director, has filed for  Orange County’s District 3 race in November 2028.

A crowded field of candidates is already seeking the seat currently held by Commissioner Mayra Uribe.

As it stands now, Ziglar is competing against former Sen. Linda Stewart, Nelson Betancourt, information technology expert Gus Martinez, and lawyer Walker Smith IV.

In 2023, Ziglar began leading the Curry Ford West Main Street District, which represents local establishments in both Orlando city and Orange County limits.

“I have witnessed the struggle of businesses that are directly across the street from each other to get open, to stay open, to fight zoning issues … and it was one of the main reasons I decided that I should run,” said Ziglar, who lives in Dover Estates and is a lifelong Orange County resident. “My small businesses that are located in the county will tell you that they don’t feel like they get anything. They feel like they are just adrift.”

Meanwhile, Orlando offers business assistance programs and facade improvement grants, and it has dedicated staff to help new businesses open, Ziglar said.

Orange County business owners are also annoyed that they have to go in person to file some permits instead of doing so online in today’s technology-driven world, she said.

“I have been working with the county, discussing with them those programs and how beneficial they can be,” Ziglar said. “Their economic development team has been open and receptive to the feedback, but it is a slow process.”

Now, Ziglar said she wants to run for public office and push for faster change.

“I don’t think it would be challenging to even create a small sign grant program that would allow businesses to improve their exteriors and have the proper signage that meets the current code,” Ziglar said, adding the county previously offered that help but later shut it down. “Those types of things could be done with money that exists.”

Ziglar is already campaigning for the election, just under two years away. She held her first canvas and plans to paint more after the holidays in 2026.