We are happy to be back!

Con was the last pilot to escape after the fall of Viet Nam. He was a South Vietnamese helicopter pilot who was a part of the King Bees that were responsible for saving many stranded and wounded soldiers during the war. 

In his last flight out he carried out the heroic act of saving his family and 80 women and children from a remote island and landing them on the USS Okinawa under extremely difficult conditions.

It was an honor to acknowledge Con for his kind, brave act as well as his wife, Linda. They currently reside in the Village of Marsh Bend.

Marie is the Founder and CEO of Villagers for Veterans. She works tirelessly in her quest to help veterans in need in our area. 

She was instrumental in raising funds to provide a home for SGT Pam Kelly, a paralyzed Veteran, in Orange Blossom Gardens, has raised funds for training service dogs for Vets, orchestrates fundraisers for Christmas celebrations for children of veterans living in the Ocala Forest, and much more. She was the main driving force for Ashley’s House, an all-female veteran transition home which will open soon in Eustis, Florida.

Ten of us showed up at her Bingo fundraiser at the Wildwood Community Center to honor her for her exceptional kindness with over 200 in attendance. A special thanks to Judy Samuelson for her help.

 Our Membership chair, Carol Cholette, wrote the following about this nominee and we had a wonderful surprise celebration during the gathering of their social group.

Our neighborhood of Hemingway already was a very social and friendly group. However after a few years those who had been doing things wanted to pass the torch. Mary took over and coordinated 4 major socials a year. She then added many more such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Christmas. She started a bocce league, thrift day, rummikub and Samba days and monthly game night, neighborhood garage sale and several trips including bus to New Orleans 2 years ago. She sends out reminders and reserves necessary equipment etc.

Mary also has soup or pasta ready for anyone that is sick. She also visits anyone in the hospital and regularly visits a neighbor in a nursing home and gives us a report on how she is doing.

Mary also volunteers at Our Mothers Attic and as an usher at the Savannah Center.

She is not representing a large or major group but I think she is deserving as a person who has never met a stranger and truly lives each day with kindness for others. 

Mary sent us this note the following day: Hello. My name is Mary Christopher and I was acknowledged by your amazing group last night at our (Between the Loops Social). I cannot thank you enough, my heart is always filled with love but it truly ran over last night. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been blessed one thousand fold.

Barbara is active with Boomer Loomers  - a club that has been making hats, scarves, blankets and more for over 5 years.  Barbara volunteered to not only make hats and scarves but also to distribute them to various homeless groups.

She is very involved in Trades of Hope - an organization that empowers women to escape sex trafficking and bondage.  Over the last two years she has provided bicycles for children to ride to school so they can escape kidnappers, delivery kits for pregnant women to take to the hospital with them, fruit trees and chickens to provide a source of food,  and these are just a few of her accomplishments.

Barbara also volunteers time to help WUMC with their Matthew 25 ministry that gives clothing to people in the area.  She has also gone to Ocala to pass out Blessing Bags to the homeless people there. 

We had a very exciting AAOK event and our first to take place outside of The Villages bubble. 

We acknowledged 2 people who were instrumental in the building of a ‘Tiny Home’ along with 50 youths from the Arnette House, a home for troubled youths in Ocala. The event took place at The Veteran’s Park in Ocala and was absolutely wonderful! Our acknowledgement was included in the agenda along with the Mayor of Ocala, State Senator Baxley and other dignitaries.  After all the speeches the bus covering the tiny home was moved and the keys presented to a deserving veteran. The Mayor suggested that they should have a club like ours in Ocala.

Our thanks to Jen Smith for helping make all this happen and to Jean Collier and Margaret, Bob Wolfe,  

David Ulloa and Denise Paradis for being a part of the event. Lots of cards were handed out to those attending, including the youths that help build the house.

We acknowledged Gene Murray of the Village of Pennecamp for the extraordinary kindness he has shown helping neighbors wherever and whenever needed. 

He was instrumental in starting the Neighbors Saving Neighbors AED program in his neighborhood and continues to run it smoothly. Gene is always the first to offer help to someone in need, and often knows when someone needs a helping hand before they do. Several members of our club surprised Gene at an AED meeting in his home and presented him with a Certificate of Kindness, a restaurant gift certificate, and a signed copy of “Kindness Rocks!”. Jen Smith donated a red,white,and blue blanket made by Abundance of Love. We thank Judy Samuelson for nominating Gene and helping to orchestrate the event and Jean Collier, Jeri Frazer, and Jen Smith for their help.

Marguerite works tirelessly for Villages Honor Flights and handles all the food needs single handedly. She is active with the Tri-County Lady Vets in their effort to arrange a woman-only Honor Flight to Washington, DC. 

MONDAY MAY 3, 2021 - SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR HER KINDNESS

We had the pleasure of acknowledging a truly amazing lady, Marguerite Desbrow. She  is the main contributor for Villagers for Veterans and has been instrumental in the house project for veteran Pam. 

Marguerite recently taken on projects to assist The Marion Military Academy in Ocala and is the coordinator of the Flags for Vets Ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery on Memorial Day. 

Many of Marguerite's friends were there to add their positive comments to include Gary Kadow, Chairman of Save Our Soldiers (SOS). Marguerite is one of the most truly deserving candidates we have ever honored. Bravo!

Gary was honored for the kindness that he has shown his neighbors, especially at the neighborhood meeting with 200 attendees. Gary is retired Air Force NCO who has been helping people in his community with housing maintenance issues, free of charge. Very generous man... 

Gary has given roses to approximately 20 windows in his community. Sadly, Gary lost his wife of many years, however, he continues to give back to the community. Also, he is actively involved in the Veterans Community.