Vol. 101, Issue 2 · Archived issue
August 2026 newsletter
The August paper stays here in full — the president’s welcome to the new Lions year, July programs, and Cubby in Scandinavia.
Editor: Diane Renyhart · Programs courtesy of Lion Richard
President’s message
Renee E. Thompson
2026–2027 President, Ocala Lions Club
Dear Club Members and Friends,
As we launch into this exciting new Lions year, it is my great privilege to welcome everyone — long-time members and our newest Ocala Lions, Levar Bruce and Dani Fee — to another exciting year of service, fun, and fellowship. I am truly inspired by the energy and commitment I see across our club. With your continued support and enthusiasm, we will carry forward our proud 100-year tradition of service, while creating new opportunities to help those in our community who are in need.
It was great to see that our recent successful White Cane collection raised over $370. Thank you, Lion Diane, for organizing this event, and thank you to Lions John and Diane Renyhart, Sharron Albert, Tricia and Jim Evans, Chuck Oliveros, and Chuck Savage for volunteering with the collection. Our ongoing Food 4 Kids deliveries, glasses collection, KidSight screenings, Silent Santa, and your dedication continue to make a real difference in our community — bringing joy to children, improving sight and hearing, and supporting scholarships. Plans for the 33rd Jerry Cullison Memorial Golf Tournament are underway, and we hope to have even more participation this year. Please help the committee by getting sponsor forms to sponsors.
We are up to 45 followers on our Facebook page. My goal is to get us to 101 in honor of our 101st year. If you are on Facebook, please give our club a follow. We post photos and updates about the club and the work we do in our community.
Thank you for your Lion spirit and continued commitment. You make a difference every day.
In Service,
Renee E. Thompson
Membership
Lion Emily Leithauser is seeking new ideas to increase the membership of our club. She has begun work on the Silent Santa program and would welcome new members to the committee. The budget will remain the same as last year.
Lion Patti Palermo is exploring the idea of purchasing a gift of Christmas pajamas for the moms as part of Silent Santa. We have purchased gifts for moms in the past, and Patti feels that these moms need some special recognition also.
Emily reminds us that every committee can use help, and many hands make light work.
Golf tournament
The 33rd annual Jerry Cullison Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, December 5 at the Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club, 5000 US Highway 27. The presenting sponsor is Cullison-Wright Construction. The tournament is a four-person scramble, and lunch will be provided by LaCasella Catering.
Funds raised help bring joy to children through Silent Santa and improve sight and hearing through KidSight. The newly purchased Plusoptix cameras screen for lazy eye and other sight disorders. The tournament also enables scholarships for the Southeastern Youth Fair, the College of Central Florida, and the University of Florida.
The Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) charity. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Lion Garry Adel at 352-895-1084 or Lion Barry Fies at 352-362-7713.
KidSight
It’s time to organize KidSight screenings for back to school. Thank you to all who helped more than 800 children get their eyes screened during the 2025–2026 school year. Screeners are so important in this mission. Please see or contact Kristi Hannen to inquire or volunteer.
White Cane Day
Our White Cane collection took place on Saturday, July 18 at the Publix on Park View Road. A special thank you to Lions Sharron Albert, Tricia and Jim Evans, Chuck Oliveros, and Chuck Savage. The manager and staff at Publix were wonderful to us.
We raised $370 and met customers who shared stories about how the Lions Club has helped them and their families. The money raised will go for vision and hearing charities.
Food 4 Kids
Lion Jerry Wieland collected food and other donations at the July 2 meeting and delivered it to Food 4 Kids at Interfaith Emergency Services. The Ocala Lions Club was recognized in an Interfaith Emergency Services article, “Growing the Pack,” by Dani Fee as a new community partner. A $25 donation can feed a child in the Food 4 Kids program for a month.
New weekly lunch menu
Boxed lunches are $15 and include chips, macaroni salad, fruit, and a cookie, with a choice of ham and cheese, turkey and provolone, chicken salad croissant, roast beef and Swiss, vegetarian, or gluten free. Place your order at the end of the current week’s meeting, or contact Tricia by Monday at noon. Tea, lemonade, and water are served. Thank you to Tricia for managing the lunch program, and to Patty McQueen at LaCasella Catering.
Cubby’s travels
Cubby enjoyed a trip to Scandinavia for two weeks in June and July with Lions John and Diane Renyhart. He traveled by plane, boat, ferry, and bus and made friends as he visited Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
At the Grand Hotel in Oslo the concierge, Jaume Arisa, was able to call Lion Morton Bjerke, president of Norway District 104E. The club left an Ocala Lions 100-year anniversary pin for him. President Bjerke said he looked forward to meeting us at a future International convention. The 2027 convention will be in Washington, D.C.
News from Lions International
The new Lions year began on July 1, 2026. International President Mark S. Lyon, of the Brookfield Lions Club in Connecticut, was elected at the 108th International Convention in Hong Kong. His theme is “Rooted in Service.” He believes that Lions are at their best when we unite in service and leadership to strengthen our communities and support people in need.
Pre-owned glasses
Lion Lou Barnes shared June’s report and the 2025–2026 fiscal year. June: 1,303 glasses and 420 cases. Fiscal year: 9,641 glasses and 3,785 cases. Donated glasses in Ocala included 1,600 to Interfaith, 800 to thrift shops, and 32,000 on mission trips by various churches, counting reading glasses and sunglasses donated to VOSH. VOSH has also shipped more than 40,000 new glasses internationally.
Third Thursday charitable donations
The tax-free holiday for school supplies ran July 20 through August 20. Arnette House can use school supplies at any time, so the September third Thursday was a joint drive for school supplies and Saving Mercy. Suggested items: #2 pencils, markers, crayons, construction paper, notebooks, binders, loose-leaf paper, pens, pocket folders, blunt-tip scissors, and backpacks. Saving Mercy can use household start-up items.
New member induction
The first inductions of the new Lions year took place on Thursday, July 16, 2026. President Renee Thompson welcomed Levar Bruce, sponsored by Lou Barnes, and Dani Fee, sponsored by Lion Diane Renyhart. PDG Jerry Skufe inducted the new members and encouraged them to work toward the Governor’s Award. PDG Skufe received Life Membership from the St. Augustine Club and Lion of the Year from our club.
Original pages
The printed August issue, page by page. Open any page at full size.
