New videos feature a mental-health counselor, youth helper, line worker and scientist who discusses the importance of vaccines. Previous videos in the series explained the importance of firefighters, police officers, teachers, doctors, paramedics, meteorologists and 9-1-1 operators.

The videos, aimed at children 3 to 8, air on WUCF TV between programming, and are available on and the . They are also available free to public media stations across the country for broadcasting in their communities.

“The Meet the Helpers initiative continues to tell the stories of the heroes in our communities across the country,” says. Phil Hoffman, WUCF executive director. “These videos and activities show children and families the importance of helpers and how to be a helper to others.”

In addition to community helpers, WUCF also produced videos in the series to help families understand the coronavirus and wearing masks.

Meet the Helpers is developed by WUCF and national experts in early childhood development from the UCF College of Community Innovation and Education, and crisis communications from the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media.

The project is part of WUCF’s outreach following the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. Meet The Helpers is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Duke Energy, and the Paul B. and Constance D. Hunter Foundation.

To learn more about the latest videos from Meet the Helpers visit .

GRR-IFIC Neighbors with Daniel Tiger! will air Feb. 27 and 28 at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Viewers can join Daniel Tiger and his friends as they celebrate what it means to be a caring neighbor.

All month, fans can download or pick up a kindness kit that includes at-home activities for celebrating kindness and what it means to be a caring neighbor. Kits can be printed at home or picked up at a local library while supplies last. Visit to print the kit or find out a location for pickup.

WUCF will host two interactive Virtual LIVE PBS KIDS events that explore the world using the senses on Feb. 11 and 13 at 10 a.m. Both sessions include videos and hands-on activities. A downloadable participant kit is available that includes gather-at-home materials and printables for the event. Registration is required by signing up at .

“Even if we can’t be out interacting with the community for Be My Neighbor Day as we normally do, WŮ��AV is happy to continue sharing Daniel Tiger’s message on how to be a caring neighbor and sharing kindness through our locally produced show, virtual events and activities,” says Phil Hoffman, WUCF’s executive director. “As Central Florida Storytellers, WUCF continues to encourage curiosity and learning through our virtual Be My Neighbor Day event.”

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is one of PBS’ most popular animated programs and airs weekdays at 10 a.m. and weekends at 7:30 a.m. on WUCF.

The series in the COVID-19 Content category came from the TV station’s response to the pandemic. The team developed a series of short videos under the Meet the Helpers initiative to help parents, caregivers, teachers and others talk to children about the pandemic and give them tools to help keep their families healthy.

“We are beyond grateful to be recognized by the Public Media Awards for our tireless work on Meet the Helpers and this series of special content related to the coronavirus,” says Phil Hoffman, WUCF executive director. “As Central Florida’s Storytellers, we are happy that our home community as well as the national community is benefitting from the COVID-19 content that we continue to develop.”

The awards honor public television’s best work in education, community engagement, marketing/communications and content. Awards are judged by a group of expert in the public media system, as well as industry professionals outside of public media.

, in partnership with local organizations will provide an update from community leaders on the lasting effects of the pandemic.

During the show, WUCF executive director Phil Hoffman speaks with representatives of Central Florida arts, culture, history and science organizations about plans to operate in the post-COVID-19 era.

“Central Florida organizations have demonstrated their resilience and creativity during this historic time in our community” says Hoffman. “As Central Florida’s storytellers, WUCF wants to make sure they are seen and heard while navigating this new way of doing business.”

Series guests include Cole NeSmith, founder and CEO of Creative City Project; Jim Helsinger, artistic director of Orlando Shakespeare Theater; Terry Olson, chief instigator at Fusion Fest; Lindsay Taylor, theatre producer at Orlando Fringe Festival; and Lisa Bachman, assistant director of Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida.

In Reach will air Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m..

During June, July and August, WUCF celebrated the Summer of Space with programming and community events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Programming included “” and its own one-hour documentary “.”

“We are truly grateful to be recognized by NETA for our work during the Summer of Space,” says Phil Hoffman, WUCF executive director. “As Central Florida’s Storytellers, the Summer of Space was the collaborative efforts of the WUCF team to tell the stories from our own backyard. We are honored to be recognized for our work within the Central Florida community on a national stage.”

The NETA Awards honor public television’s best work in education, community engagement, marketing/communications and content. Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists within the public media system, as well as industry professionals outside of public media.

The film was presented an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at the 43^rd Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards on Saturday.

Space Chase USA, explores the pioneering history that the city’s residents found themselves engaged in as NASA and the space industry arrived on the Space Coast next to the small beach town. Interviews with residents, archival footage and home movies were used to provide a personal connection to the new space era in Cocoa Beach’s history.

The film premiered in July as part of ’s Summer of Space.

“WŮ��AV is honored that the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized our work in celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the moon landing with Space Chase USA,” said Phil Hoffman, WUCF executive director. “Being Central Florida’s storytellers, Space Chase USA was our way of highlighting the trials, tribulations and triumphs of this significant event that happened right in our own backyard.”

Hoffman and Duilio Mariola were executive producers of the film and Megan Matier was production assistant.

The Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a nonprofit corporation that presents the annual Regional Emmy Awards to television markets in Florida, Puerto Rico and southern regions of Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia.