Central Florida Intergroup

Orlando Area Alcoholics Anonymous

24 Hour Hotline: (407) 260-5408

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History of AA In Orlando: Beginnings

On 6 April 1944, Dave A. wrote the New York office asking for guidelines on organizing an AA group. That was the start of Alcoholics Anonymous in Orlando. Coming from Jacksonville and Daytona Beach where meetings were “plentiful,” he found Orlando barren of AA. Dave had found another AA member from East Orange, New Jersey, Samuel E. W. Sam impressed Dave because he was “acquainted with Mr. Bill Wilson, of whom I have heard so much.”

Dave placed an ad in the Orlando Morning Sentinel announcing the place and time for the first AA meeting. It was held at the Lamar Hotel, 409 West Central Boulevard. Before the first meeting, they were “laying out plans — with four prospects in sight.” (Dave passed away on October 8, 1986, more than 41 years after writing this 1944 letter.)

By 1946 the group had its first home—the second floor of an office building at 27 East Central. There were 30 steep steps to climb. All early members remember how difficult it was to ascend those steps to their first meeting. The joke was,  if you made those steps, you would probably make the program.Dave and Ernie Y., who came from Winter Garden, were often sitting there by themselves.

When Jackie L. called, it wasDave Y. who took her to her first two meetings; he then left her on her own. When she came on her own,Dave was delighted and knew she was really serious about AA. The group met on Tuesday nights. The six members wereDave and Ernie Y., Sam W., Connie R., Carol D., and Ruth M. Soon afterward “Doc” C. and Gordon J. came to the group. A Saturday night Speaker’s Meeting was started with each member expected to take a turn speaking.

Some members took the term “anonymous” quite seriously. During closed meeting nights, family members of the alcoholics met in a separate room. The only access to this room was through the AA meeting room. Family members were therefore obligated to come early, then wait and leave late, to give the AA members concerned with anonymity a chance to arrive and depart unobserved by the non-AA’s.

 

Next Article: History of AA in Orlando: Beginnings - The Correspondence

Online Contributions

Contributions to the Central Florida Intergroup support services to our members and groups throughout Central Florida and help ensure that the A.A. message is carried in our region. In keeping with our Seventh Tradition, we ask that you only contribute if you are a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Intergroup Office & Store Location

283 Live Oaks Blvd, Bldg 6
Casselberry, FL 32707
In the Live Oaks Center

The Central Florida Intergroup office/bookstore is open by appointment. To set up a time to visit, please call 407-260-5822 or email us by clicking here. We are asking that everyone wear a mask and honor the CDC recommendations.

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Office: (407) 260-5822
24 Hour AA Hotline: (407) 260-5408

(Click to Download a PDF of the January 2021 Hotline schedule)

About This Site

The primary purpose of the Central Florida Intergroup’s web site is to provide an online meeting guide for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous throughout the Central Florida area. The web site will present information that is available publicly concerning meetings, events and links concerning Alcoholics Anonymous.

The site has no outside interests, or connection or affiliation with any individual or organization outside of AA.

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