The Humane Society of Polk County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We were chartered in 1972, and the original Sage Road shelter was built in 1980. As of June 2015, our staff of thirteen employees operates out of our new shelter, which is located just around the corner at 3195 Dundee Road.

The shelter usually has 30 dogs and 75 cats in residence, but the number of animals fluctuates every year. In our last fiscal year, we took in more than 1100 animals.

All accepted animals are spayed or neutered, provided with shots, tested for heart worms or feline leukemia/aids, de-wormed, micro chipped, provided a physical exam by a local veterinarian and given comfortable shelter, food and water.

The Humane Society of Polk County became a no kill animal shelter in 2004.  What this means is that we do not euthanize animals simply to make space.  If a veterinarian determines it is in the best interest of the animal we do follow their advice to euthanize.  The other circumstance when we would euthanize an animal is if it is deemed by our veterinarian and our animal behavioral specialist that the animal would be a danger to the public to adopt.

The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team was started by former waterskiers from Cypress Gardens Theme Park who want to pass on their show skiing legacy to the next generation.

Before Walt Disney World and the rest of Central Florida’s sprawl of tourist destinations there was a family-owned theme park known as Cypress Gardens.  Cypress Gardens’ founder, Dick Pope, filled the park’s landscape with gorgeous flowers, beautiful Southern Belles, and thrilling water ski show.

​During its 66 year run, millions upon millions of Florida visitors were thrilled by amazing barefooters, gravity-defying Rampmasters, lines of Aquamaids skimming effortlessly in precision across the water, and 4-tier human pyramids.  The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team broke over 50 World Records and became known around the globe as the “Water Ski Capital of the World.”

​Led by Former Show Director, Mark Voisard, the Cypress Gardens Water Skiers decided they did not want the legacy of world-class show skiing to die with the closing of the theme park.  So they formed a new team with two goals:  to continue to WOW central Florida audiences, and to pass on their water skiing skills to the next generation.

​The team works closely with the city of Winter Haven to perform shows at Martin Luther King Park on Lake Silver.

The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization focused on improving and preserving Winter Haven’s business climate and quality of life.
Our Vision is to advance commerce and community.
Our mission is serving, representing and enhancing business growth. 
We have a long history of doing this in Winter Haven, from our founding in 1910 as a Board of Trade and then later our incorporation as a Chamber of Commerce in 1923.
The Chamber of Commerce serves as the hub for all information relating to Winter Haven – both for business and community. If we don’t have the answer, we will strive to connect you with the right people to help you grow your business or expand your network. We have more than 750 businesses with nearly 2,000 designated representatives that represent our member investors. The Chamber is administered by a Board of Directors who set policy and strategic goals.
Major areas of Chamber focus include small business support, marketing and programming, business advocacy, education, economic development and tourism. We are strategic partners with the City of Winter Haven, Main Street Winter Haven, Winter Haven Economic Development Council, the Central Florida Development Council, Polk Vision, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Orlando Economic Partnership, to name a few.
The Winter Haven Chamber Foundation, Inc., is a 501 c(3) affiliate that supports economic development, education and beautification efforts. Its programs include Leadership Winter Haven, the Endeavor Winter Haven young professionals group, partnerships  with the Public Education Partnership (PEP), sponsor of the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards and various other leadership and professional development seminars.
The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce has been accredited for 35 years, and was designated as a “Five Star” Chamber by the US Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Less than two percent of the nation’s Chamber’s achieve accreditation and only a small percentage earn three, four or five stars.