COMMUNITY NEWS
Christmas food drive, teacher award, call to artists, Rotary baseball
From left, Leda Perez, executive director Frank DeLuca YMCA; Chris Demetriou, district vice president YMCA of Central Florida; Santa Claus; Jason Guy, WESH2 anchor; Frank DeLuca, DeLuca Family Foundation; Angela DeLuca, DeLuca Family Foundation; and Chelsea Rice philanthropy officer Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. [Submitted photo]
Foundation sponsors food drive
The DeLuca Family Foundation sponsored the Share Your Christmas Food Drive on Dec. 12 to help support families in need throughout Marion County.
The annual food drive is an outreach of Orlando-based NBC affiliate WESH 2-TV, held in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. This year marked the 40th anniversary, the news release noted.
According to Second Harvest, one in seven individuals in Central Florida is facing hunger and one in six kids live in households that are food insecure, according to the release.
“This is the seventh year we have served as the Marion County drop-off location,” said Frank DeLuca in the release. “This year, we partnered with the Frank DeLuca YMCA as the new Marion County location. We are proud to donate $10,000 to help address food insecurity in our local community.”
Since forming the partnership in 2018, Frank and Angela DeLuca have donated a total of $70,000 to support the Share Your Christmas campaign.
“We all share the same mission — youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Leda Perez, executive director of the Frank DeLuca YMCA. “It’s all about serving the community.”
All food and monetary donations collected during the drive remained in Marion County. In total, 8,234 pounds of food were collected for distribution through Second Harvest, according to the release.
In recognition of the event’s anniversary, Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain presented WESH 2-TV with a proclamation that designated Dec. 12, 2025, as Share Your Christmas Day in Marion County.
Recognition for teacher
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, recently announced that Kathy Nick of Ward-Highlands Elementary School in Ocala is a recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award.
Kathy Nick [Submitted photo]
HCA Florida West Marion Hospital CEO Isaiah Zirkle recognized Nick during an event at the school on Nov. 21, with school board and foundation representatives in attendance.
“What sets Mrs. Nick apart is her unwavering compassion and patience. She understands that learning doesn’t look the same for every student and always takes the time to support those who may be struggling — whether academically, emotionally or socially,” stated the nomination for Nick. “It is educators like Mrs. Nick who quietly change lives every day. She may not seek the spotlight, but the light she shines in the lives of students is undeniable.”
Teachers selected for recognition receive $250 and an email containing messages submitted with their nomination.
To learn more, go to pefmc.org/thank-a-teacher
Call to artists
Florida Defenders of the Environment and the Marion Cultural Alliance invite local and regional artists to participate in “Reunite the Rivers: Art of the Ocklawaha and Silver Springs,” a juried exhibition celebrating the two of Florida’s iconic waterways.
Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme through their unique creative lens, fostering awareness, appreciation and stewardship of these natural wonders. All mediums are welcome (2D and 3D) and the deadline is Jan. 25.
For more details, visit: mcafeb2026.artcall.org/media
Register for baseball
Registration for spring baseball at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex is now open. The venue is located at 5220 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala.
There are divisions for T-ball ages 3-6, Juniors ages 4-6, Rookies ages 7-8, Minors ages 9-10, Majors ages 11-12 and Babe Ruth 16 and under.
Evaluations will take place Jan. 20-22. Meet the coaches night is set for Jan. 29. Practice will begin Feb. 2. Opening ceremonies will take place Feb. 28, with games to be played that day. Closing ceremonies will be held on April 18.
For more information go to ocalarotarysportsplex.sportngin.com, call (352) 650-8325 or (352) 598-9831 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
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