WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A retired principal from Orange County Public Schools is now guiding former students as a volunteer at Special Hearts Farm in Winter Garden.

“Many of these farmers were students of mine,” Dan Axtell said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Dan Axtell is a volunteer at Special Hearts Farm in Winter Garden 

  • The former principal gives back to many of his former students with disabilities

The nonprofit specializes in adult day training, supported employment, farming experiences and much more for those with disabilities and unique abilities.

Axtell watches over the farmers like they are his own children.

One of those farmers is Joseph Mathew. Mathew completes work around the garden, cleaning it up with others to make it look nice.

Known as a transition opportunity, people like Mathew work around the farm and perform meaningful jobs once they age out of school.

Mathew lost both of his parents to cancer, but has found a new family in Axtell.

“He’s a good person and role model. He always comes along and helps me out,” Mathew said. 

And that support doesn’t go unnoticed.

“They love his special heart. They remember how special he was to their education and now he’s giving back to them as adults,” Kathy Meena, president of Special Hearts Farm, said. 

This is a team making sure no one gets left behind.

“I think many of them, if they didn’t have this, they’d be sitting at home not doing a whole lot. They don’t get out enough. I think this gives them some self-pride and self-worth,” Axtell said. 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Special Hearts Farm.

If you know someone who is doing exceptional work in your community, please inform us about them.

You can nominate them here.