Penny Beehler of the Ocala-based organization Saving Mercy was our guest presenter at this week's regular meeting. Hers is a religion-based non-profit, providing a range of services and assistance for families and individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness–or who may be at-risk homeless.

Jenny Mercer of From the Heart Counseling Services was our guest speaker at this week's regular meeting at the Ocala Golf Club. Their team blends evidence-based therapeutic techniques with holistic approaches to ensure sessions are supportive and restorative.
#rotaryfoundation
#district6970

Representatives from the Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau were the featured presenters at our regular meeting this week. Sky Wheeler, tourism development manager, and Corry Locke, group sales supervisor, provided an extensive view into the story of tourism promotion for our area.

At our last regular meeting, we received a number of enlightening insights from Tom James, director of executive engagement for the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP). James provided many statistics and up-to-date factual data about how Ocala is growing and changing every day.

At our regular Monday noon meeting, we were treated to a presentation from Kerry Elkins, the museum specialist at Ocala's Appleton Museum of Art, on the myriad creative and artistic dimensions there. She works across the administrative, curatorial, and education departments.
#appletonmuseumfl
#6970

At a special ceremony at this week's meeting, we honored Charles Calhoun, a Navy veteran who held the rank of quartermaster during the Vietnam War era, to receive the Rotary Club of Ocala's 2025 "Service Above Self" Award.

Natalie McComb, Executive Director of the Reilly Arts Center and Ocala Symphony Orchestra, gave a dynamic presentation to our Club this week. An experienced communicator, her overview of the related organizations was much appreciated.
#rotaryinternational
#district6970
#ocalafl
#marioncountyfl

This month saw us transitioning to new officers for 2025-26, and the event was generously hosted by former Club President Manal Fakhoury. President Richard Howard provided encouraging remarks to the new slate of officers.
#rotaryinternational
#RotaryInAction
#ServiceAboveAll
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Our club recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship to three graduating senior from Vanguard High School: Alexandra Laciuga and Kendall Reese will be attending University of Notre Dame and Esther Derias will be attending the University of Florida. Congratulations to these young women!
#district6970

Florida community icon Dr. Barbara Brooks spoke at this week's meeting on a number of salient and timely topics. She is founder and president at Ocala-based R.A.M.A.L. Educational & Social Services, Inc., which specializes in social services and education; and author of books on Ocala's history.

A stirring musical performance, "Tribute to America," was featured at our last meeting. Guest presenter Terry LeCompte, founder and director of Community Stages, prepared a stirring mini-concert of five patriotic songs. Club member Roberta Smith provided a lovely harmony.
www.communitystages.org

At our last regular Club meeting, Todd Belknap, president of Veterans Helping Veterans USA, spoke of how financial assistance and counseling are making it possible for vets to regain or maintain their independence and dignity.
More at www.vhvusa.org
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#district6970

Learning about the beauty of authentic living was the topic of a presentation by Jill Carel, president of the Ocala chapter of PFLAG. The nonprofit organization provides support for friends, families, and allies of LGBTQ+ people throughout Central Florida.
More: www.facebook.com/pflagocala

Our club's Service Above Self Saturday Investment (SASSI) hit the road again last weekend! The effort of 10 members and two young guests paid off as we cleaned up debris on State Road 40. 16 bags, resulting in a cleaner environment for people and wildlife!
#PeopleOfAction #Ocala #marioncountyfl

𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚: 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙤 𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
This energetic video celebrates how Rotary members have partnered with governments, NGOs, and local communities to end polio. We must continue our commitment to finish the job, because polio isn't unstoppable; we are!

Seven members of our Club participated for a second year in Ocala's MLK march through downtown Ocala to honor the legacy of one of our nation's Martin Luther King, Jr., one of our nation's most cherished heroes.

#Rotary #Rotary6970 #rotaryinternational #ocala #marioncountyfl #naacp #mlk #mlkday