Donations, fundraising and more: Good news in Ocala/Marion County | Dec. 5, 2021

GFWC donates $700 in pajamas and books to homeless children

The GFWC Greater Ocala Woman's Club provided 32 Christmas bags filled with pajamas and books totaling $700 in donations to the homeless children of Marion County, Pam Ruder said in an email.

Sharon McCarron and the education committee of the GFWC organized this annual tradition, Ruder said.

Tom Butler, employee for Marion County Schools who serves as liaison for the homeless children of Marion County, accepted the donations for the children.

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Dunnellon Cheer Squad headed to nationals, launches fundraiser to help cover costs

The Dunnellon Tiger Junior Pee Wee Cheer Squad is headed to the Nationals Cheer and Dance Championships to represent Marion County, Claudia Curiel, regional spokesperson for GoFundMe, said in an email.

For more information, visit the fundraiser at GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-us-get-back-to-nationals

Pancakes in the Park event raises awareness of Silver Springs State Park

The fifth annual Pancakes in the Park event was held on Nov. 20 at Silver Springs State Park, Mary Baggs said in an email. The Friends of Silver Springs State Park served over 300 pancakes, while visitors hiked the river trail with guide and photographer Bonne Halsell. spotting local plants, fungi, birds and more, the email said.

The mission of the FSSSP is to provide support to the park, enhance public awareness and community involvement, and to protect park resources, the email said.

For more information about the organization, free entrance to the park. member perks, and how to join, visit: thefriendsofsilversprings.org.

Quilt of Valor Award

Lt. Col. Arlo Janssen, USA (Ret.), was honored at the On Top of the World Veterans Day program held on Nov. 11, according to an email from Janssen.

The program featured the West Port High School J.R.O.T.C., led by Lt. Col. Robert Irick, posting the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Janssen.

Col. Jay “Aleks” Brzezanski introduced Janssen, then Joan Lane, group leader of the Rainbow Springs Quilts of Valor, and Charles Calhoun, president of the OTOW Veterans Club, conducted the “Quilts of Valor” ceremony and quilt presentation to Janssen, the email said.

The program also featured several speakers and a video of the Equestrian tribute to the recently fallen 13 United States service members in Afghanistan, the email said.

Students give $3,000 in grants to six local charities through philanthropy program

Six awards of $500 each were given to six local charities in concluding celebrations of the Adam Hanson Youth Philanthropy in Action program at four local schools, according to a press release from The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County.

Students at Fort McCoy Middle School, Howard Middle School, Belleview Middle School and North Marion Middle School received six weeks of instruction about philanthropy, the community, and how to put their efforts into action, the release said.

Members of the NonProfit Business Council taught the classes this fall.

The VFW Veteran’s Village received Fort McCoy School’s award. Howard Middle School’s two classes awarded their grants to First Step Food Bank and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. The National Alliance on Mental Illness received a grant from North Marion Middle School, and Belleview Middle School’s two classes awarded Brother’s Keeper and Hands of Mercy Everywhere.

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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: The GFWC in Ocala donated pajamas and books to homeless kids