October 2026 newsletter

KidSight

Lions Kristi Hannen and Andy Pozzuto did the first screenings of the new school year on Monday, September 14th, and it was great fun. They even screened two one-year-olds.

Thank you to all who have helped fill in the October screenings. There are still opportunities to join. The volunteer screeners signed up so far include Sharron Albert, Scott Cross, Lee Ann Endicott, Barry Fies, Kristi Hannen, Marilyn Hinds, David Lee, Andy Pozzuto, Diane Renyhart, John Renyhart, Carol Savage, Chuck Savage, and Jerry Wieland. Additional screeners are needed as the number of schools has increased in October.

Food 4 Kids

Our club continues to bring food and cash donations to the IES Food for Kids program. The food is carefully organized by Lion Dani Fee and her staff, and volunteers distribute the backpacks on the weekend. We are proud to be part of the “Growing the Pack” program that provides nutritious food to the children.

Golf tournament

The 33rd annual Jerry Cullison Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, December 5th at the Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club, 5000 US Highway 27. The presenting sponsor is Cullison-Wright Construction.

The tournament is the major source of funding for the charities and programs the club supports, including Silent Santa, KidSight, and scholarships for the Southeastern Youth Fair, the College of Central Florida, and the University of Florida.

Team sign-up forms are available. A free pancake breakfast and lunch are included, there are prizes for winning teams, and the club will raffle a 4-foot Vermont Teddy Bear. The Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3). For information or to become a sponsor, contact Lion Garry Adel at 352-895-1084 or Lion Barry Fies at 352-362-7713.

White Cane Safety Day

October 15th is recognized internationally as White Cane Safety Day. Bonefish Grill at 4701 SW College Road will hold a Give Back Night that day and donate a percentage of net sales during set hours to the club’s White Cane Day fund. Wear your Lions vest or shirt, and invite family and friends to dine.

Third Thursday

Saving Mercy was appreciative of the recent donation — virtually three carloads of items to help furnish apartments and duplexes, plus school supplies for the children at Arnette House.

The October third Thursday is for the Kimberly Center children. Lion Marilyn Hinds will share more about their needs. Thanks to all for your contributions.

Pre-owned glasses

Lion Lou Barnes reported 627 glasses and 374 cases collected for the Ocala Lions Club. Local donations: Interfaith 460, Project Hope 50, Brothers Keeper 120, and the County Jail 60. An international mission trip to Honduras received 100.

Membership and Silent Santa

Silent Santa is underway, and Lion Emily Leithauser is again chairing the committee. The groups served in previous years are being contacted, and volunteers are needed. The club does not contribute bikes, electrical items, or very expensive items. Shopping is finished by the middle of November, and the whole activity is complete by the first of December.

Something new this year: a small Christmas gift for the moms. Lions Patti Palermo and Emily Leithauser are already working on it. Please join the committee the first Thursday in October to get organized.

New member

Lion April Williams-McDonald was inducted on September 10th by Immediate Past President Barry Fies. April was sponsored by President Renee Thompson and was a guest speaker at the July 23rd meeting on Project Hope. Welcome, April.

The annual Christmas dinner is Thursday, December 10, 2026, at the Elliott Center, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Awards and Lions International

Membership Key Awards were presented in September to Lions Herb Drum and Patti Palermo by President Renee Thompson.

IPDG Suzi Rodgers sent service chevrons to eleven members: Garry Adel, Scott Cross, Bob Cubbage, Nathan Garcia, Jim Hall, Frank Lawson, Ben Poole, Andy Pozzuto, Billy Rodgers, Bob Ruddick, and Ted Warner.

The club also received thank-you letters from the Florida Lions Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation, Dogs, Inc., and Lions Diabetes Awareness. In August the club made a $1,000 donation to LCIF for the Venezuelan Disaster Fund.

Lion Steve Friedman of the Plains Lions Club in Plains, Pennsylvania, wrote after reading about the club’s 100th-anniversary postmark in Linn’s Stamp News. Lion John Renyhart sent him one of the club’s cachets and explained how it was created. A copy of Lion Steve’s letter will be kept with the 100th-year celebration materials.

Cubby’s travels

Lions Garry Adel and Diane Renyhart took Cubby to visit Lion Jim Hall at Bridgewater and presented him with his chevron for dedicated service. Both Garry and Jim have each served as Lions for 40 years.

Club Excellence

The club is working toward the International Lions Club of Excellence Award, last received in 2009–2010. Lion Diane Renyhart reviewed the requirements at the September 17th meeting. Weeks of Service this year are Vision, October 8–18, 2026; Youth, February 13–21, 2027; and Environment, May 29–June 6, 2027.

Club life in this issue