Marion County Recognizes Five Community Milestones and Observances

Marion County is recognizing five observances this September that highlight the community's history, culture, health, generosity and commitment to preserving local stories for future generations.

The Board of County Commissioners recently recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, Constitution Week, Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, Give4Marion Day and Howard Academy's 160th anniversary, each offering an opportunity to recognize the people, organizations and traditions that contribute to the community.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15, celebrates the history, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. In Marion County, the observance will include the third annual National Hispanic Heritage Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 19, at Marion Oaks Playground, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala. Hosted by the Marion Oaks Hispanic Heritage Club in partnership with the Marion Oaks MSTU advisory boards and Marion Oaks Civic Association, the family-friendly event will feature live music, traditional foods, cultural presentations and activities.

Sept. 15 was also recognized as Give4Marion Day, an annual initiative of The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion that brings residents, businesses and nonprofits together through charitable giving and community involvement. Over the past six years, Give4Marion has raised more than $8.5 million for local nonprofits, supporting organizations that address community needs and strengthen the quality of life for residents.

Constitution Week, observed Sept. 17-23, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. The observance encourages residents to reflect on the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The Ocala Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has organized local activities commemorating Constitution Week for decades.

The county also recognized Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in September to raise awareness of brain aneurysms, including risk factors, warning signs, early detection and treatment. The proclamation recognizes the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, a nonprofit founded in memory of Trinity Love Hoblit, which supports neurological research, training and treatment while raising awareness of brain aneurysms, strokes and other cerebrovascular conditions. According to the proclamation, an estimated 6.8 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm.

Rounding out the recognitions, Sept. 19 was proclaimed Howard Academy Community Center 160th Anniversary Day. Established in 1866 as Marion County's first school for African American students, Howard Academy was founded by the Freedmen's Bureau following the Civil War to provide educational opportunities for newly emancipated African Americans. Today, the Howard Academy Community Center continues to offer educational, cultural, recreational and community programs and is home to the Black History Museum and Archives of Marion County, which preserves artifacts, documents, photographs and other materials documenting African American history and contributions in Marion County.

Together, the five recognitions highlight the people, organizations, history and community efforts that continue to shape Marion County and contribute to its quality of life.