What Ocala Lions do

Vision

KidSight

Free vision screening for kids that can catch amblyopia — lazy eye — in less than a second.

A cornerstone of our work since 2011, KidSight screens children ages 1–6 with specialized digital equipment from three feet away: no eye drops, no contact. We are one of the most active KidSight programs in MD-35. Last year Ocala Lions screened nearly 2,100 children. Those who need further evaluation are referred to eye-care professionals. Lion Dani Fee is booking nine schools this season — and we need more screeners.

Kristi Hannen · 813-382-0783

Vision

Pre-owned glasses

Every pair we collect helps someone see the world more clearly.

Lion Lou Barnes leads a collection the club has kept up for more than 70 years. Glasses are cleaned and sorted for people who need them; members have also traveled on mission trips to help deliver glasses and assist with eye surgeries. In September we collected 627 pairs and 374 cases. Local donations: Interfaith 460, Project Hope 50, Brothers Keeper 120, and the County Jail 60. An international mission trip to Honduras received 100.

Lou Barnes · 727-200-3797 · lbarnes2789@hotmail.com

Youth

Food 4 Kids

Weekend meals in backpacks for 500 Marion County children.

We collect food on the first Thursday of each month for the Food 4 Kids program. New backpacks — $21.50 each — give children a reliable way to carry weekend meals home. We are proud partners in “Be Part of the Pack,” and we deliver food and cash donations to the IES storeroom ourselves.

John and Diane Renyhart · 352-789-5180

Youth

Silent Santa

Toys and clothing for more than 1,100 children in Marion County last year.

Silent Santa began in the 1930s and remains one of our most loved projects. Last year we provided toys and clothing to over 1,100 children. Lion Emily Leithauser coordinates the effort — join her if you can wrap, shop, or deliver.

Emily Leithauser · 352-817-2765

Community

Third Thursday collections

A monthly collection for local agencies. October is for the Kimberly Center children.

Lion Marilyn Hinds organizes our Third Thursday charitable collections. In September, members delivered three carloads of household items to Saving Mercy and school supplies to Arnette House. The October third Thursday is for the children at the Kimberly Center.

Ask for Marilyn Hinds

Youth

Eagle Scout courts of honor

We show up for Eagle Scouts — with a Lions neckerchief, a certificate from Lions Clubs International, and a small American flag.

Since 1985 the club has honored each local Scout who attains Eagle rank. In July and August we recognized Joseph Bova of Troop 574 (butterfly garden) and Donovan McNeish (a pavilion-to-storage building for Arnette House). Lions John and Diane Renyhart, and Lion Alan May with Connie May, presented the awards.

John and Diane Renyhart · 352-789-5180

Youth

Scholarships

Five endowed scholarships at the College of Central Florida and the University of Florida.

We have endowed five scholarships: at CF, awards for sight- and hearing-impaired students; the Dr. Charles Marks and Abe Shashy Memorial Scholarship for nursing students; the David Baillie Memorial Agricultural Scholarship; and the Bob Ward Memorial Scholarship for teachers. At the University of Florida, the Jerry Cullison Memorial Scholarship in the College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Health

Eye exams, glasses, hearing aids

Direct help for neighbors who need to see and hear.

From the first years of the club we have paid for eye examinations, glasses, and surgeries for neighbors who could not afford them. Sight and hearing screening has been part of our work for more than 50 years — including, for about 25 years, a mobile van that traveled the district until it finally wore out. We still provide hearing aids to those in need.

Community

Disaster relief

Food and supplies when hurricanes and tornadoes hit home.

When storms strike Marion County, Ocala Lions step in with food and supplies for families who need them. We coordinate with district partners so help arrives quickly.

Vision

White Cane Day

A street-corner tradition that dates to the 1950s.

White Cane Day is one of our two primary fundraisers, alongside the golf tournament. It is our chance to talk with neighbors about vision, independence, and the work Lions do. Lion Diane Renyhart leads the effort — extra hands on the street make the day.

Diane Renyhart · 352-789-5180

Health

Diabetes screening

Screenings that protect sight as well as health.

Lions have a long record of diabetes awareness because the disease is a leading cause of preventable blindness. Lion Sue Hoagland coordinates our screening work.

Sue Hoagland · 863-221-9656

Youth

Southeastern Youth Fair

A partner since 1943 — BBQ, the steer award, and a place we meet Marion County families.

The club’s relationship with the Southeastern Youth Fair began in 1943, when Lion David Baillie was president of the event. In 1983 we established an annual steer-contest award in the name of Lion Carey Robbins, and we still sponsor the Youth Fair’s David Baillie BBQ contest. Lion Bill Thomas organizes our work at the fair.

Bill Thomas · 352-615-8090

Youth

Peace Poster contest

An annual art contest for middle-school students, part of a Lions tradition in nearly 100 countries.

Each year the club holds a Lions Peace Poster contest for local middle-school art students. For more than 35 years, millions of children around the world have taken part — and Ocala students are invited to add their voices.

Sue Hoagland · 863-221-9656

Vision

Guide dogs and America’s VetDogs

From our 2010 merger with Ocala Southwest — dogs, free of charge, for the visually impaired and for disabled veterans.

When the Ocala Southwest Lions merged with this club in 2010, they brought an affiliation with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs. The foundation provides dogs at no cost to people who are visually impaired and to disabled military veterans living with mobility challenges and PTSD.