Impactful individuals

Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services; Gwynn Pealer; Cash Pealer, Ph.D. and Dr. Tina Chandra, event honorees; and Dr. Ravi Chandra, left to right, pose during the Interfaith Emergency Services Legacies of Love event at the College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center in Ocala on Feb. 13, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026

The annual Legacies of Love luncheon is hosted by Interfaith Emergency Services to honor men and women who have made a significant impact in the community.

This year’s event took place Feb. 13 at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center and the honorees were Dr. Tina Chandra and Casius “Cash” Pealer, Ph.D.

According to materials provided by Interfaith, Chandra is a skilled cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist who practices advanced dentistry at Chandra Smile Designs and the Chandra Wellness Center. She is actively involved in philanthropic and community projects. She has served as chairman of the North Central Florida Medical Expo for more than 15 years, is a leader on the board of the India Association and a past chairman/active member of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative. She also volunteers her dental services to the poor and underprivileged at the FreeD.O.M. Clinic Inc., Deliverance Outreach Ministries and Interfaith.

Pealer is a long-time, respected figure in the community, particularly known for his career in educational and nonprofit administration. He served as vice president of institutional advancement for Central Florida Community College, now the College of Central Florida, and president of the CFCC Foundation. He was instrumental in securing funding and developing programs for the foundation. He volunteers and is involved with local organizations, including his church, Fort King Presbyterian and the Marion Cultural Alliance.

“This was our 11th Legacies of Love event and we were so happy these two worthy individuals allowed us to put a spotlight on them. The type of people we honor tend to do what they do not for the accolades, but it’s just who they are,” said Interfaith’s chief executive officer Karla Greenway following the event.

“The accomplishments of Dr. Tina Chandra spans over three decades and Dr. Cash Pealer’s goes back almost 50 years. It can be said for both of these individuals that our community and the lives of many people in it have been changed for the better because they were here. I am also grateful to those who helped us create the video tributes and for those who joined us for the celebration. I hope the guests left us feeling inspired to create their own legacy of love,” Greenway added.

Former Legacies of Love recipients in attendance were George Albright, Dr. Hank Harrell, Beth McCall, Monica Bryant, Wes Wheeler, Toni James, Kevin McDonald and Dr. Michael Jordan.

Greenway said the presenting sponsor was VITAS Healthcare and supporting sponsors were Day & Day CPA and Kevin McDonald Allstate Agency. La Casella Catering provided the meal. 

Proceeds of the event will support services provided by Interfaith Emergency Services.

“It was the Legacies of Love event that allowed us to purchase the medical facility where medical, dental and mental health services are offered free of charge to uninsured individuals with limited income,” Greenway said.

She said that Tyrell Scott and Alexiz Stith, who have both been helped significantly by Interfaith, gave heart-warming testimonies during this year’s luncheon. 

To learn more, go to iesmarion.org

Interfaith Emergency Services Legacies of Love

11 photos