Established March 19, 1926
A century of Lions in Ocala
Established March 19, 1926, the Ocala Lions Club is one of the oldest continuously serving Lions Clubs in Florida. Proudly serving Ocala and Marion County since 1926.
For a full century we have lived our motto — We Serve — by supporting vision health, helping children and families in need, and strengthening our community.
Chartered on March 19, 1926, the Ocala Lions Club has spent 100 years in the crusade against darkness. Sight remains our signature: KidSight screenings for kids, used glasses collected for more than 70 years, eye exams and hearing aids for neighbors who need them.
No club president has served more than one term. Two father-and-son pairs and one married couple have held the gavel — including charter member Charlie Savage and current member Chuck Savage, 85 years apart.
The century is not a finish line. Together we continue the work, and we invite you to meet our members or join us in service.
1926–2026
A century, in brief
1926
Chartered
March 19, 1926 — the sixth-oldest Lions Club in Florida, and still the oldest service club in Marion County.
1930s
Silent Santa
The club’s signature community project begins: clothing and toys at the holidays for children who would otherwise have nothing.
1943
Youth Fair
A partnership with the Southeastern Youth Fair starts when Lion David Baillie is president of the event. We still sponsor the David Baillie BBQ contest.
1950s
White Cane Day
White Cane collections become a primary fundraiser, a street-corner tradition that continues today.
1983
Carey Robbins award
The club establishes an annual steer-contest award at the Youth Fair in the name of Lion Carey Robbins.
1985
Eagle Scouts
We begin presenting a Lions neckerchief and a Lions Clubs International certificate to each Scout who attains Eagle rank.
1994
Golf tournament
The annual golf tournament begins — now the Jerry Cullison Memorial, our other primary fundraiser.
2010
Southwest merger
Ocala Southwest Lions merge with the club, bringing an affiliation with the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs.
2011
KidSight
We begin screening children ages 1–6 for lazy eye, acuity, and other abnormalities — now one of the most active KidSight programs in MD-35.
Five endowed scholarships
The club has endowed five scholarships so students in Marion County and beyond can keep going.
Sight and hearing scholarship
College of Central Florida · Students who are sight- or hearing-impaired
Dr. Charles Marks and Abe Shashy Memorial Scholarship
College of Central Florida · Nursing students
David Baillie Memorial Agricultural Scholarship
College of Central Florida · Students pursuing agriculture or veterinary medicine
Bob Ward Memorial Scholarship
College of Central Florida · Teachers
Jerry Cullison Memorial Scholarship
University of Florida · College of Design, Construction and Planning
2026–2027 officers
The board that leads this year
President
Renee E. Thompson
Immediate Past President
Barry Fies
1st Vice President
Diane Renyhart
2nd Vice President
Garry Adel
3rd Vice President
John Renyhart
Secretary
Tricia Evans
Treasurer
Craig Silverman
Membership
Emily Leithauser
KidSight
Kristi Hannen
Tail Twister
Andy Pietrzyk
Lion Tamer
Lou Barnes
Directors
Director (one year)
Jim Evans
Director (one year)
Chuck Savage
Director (two year)
Marilyn Hinds
Director (two year)
Bill Thomas
Director at large
Garry Adel
Past District Governor
Jerry Skufe
Where we meet
Thursdays at noon at The Alcove, 2210 SE 17th Street, Suite 302, Ocala, FL 34471. Boxed lunches are $15 — order with Tricia by noon Monday.
A member of Lions Clubs International
Lions is the world’s largest service club organization, with more than 1.4 million members in about 46,000 clubs across more than 200 countries and geographic areas.
Become a Lion