Passionate Practice

John Piccin of Piccin Law Firm is dedicated to seeking justice for his clients and has successfully litigated various personal injury cases, insurance disputes and wrongful death cases since the 1970s. His experience as a trial attorney has provided countless clients with positive outcomes, and he has held the highest ratings in legal ability and ethical standards for decades.

John has served as the past president of the North Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a prestigious organization of plaintiffs’ lawyers, defense lawyers and judges with the mission of preserving jury trials and the independence of the judiciary. It may come as no surprise that John is also part of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a national organization specifically for trial attorneys who have achieved verdicts or settlements of $1 million or more.

John has also supported The Florida Bar and the community by serving two terms as chairman of the Marion County Bench and Bar Committee, which mediates disputes or difficulties that arise between members of The Bar and judges. John also served as chairman of the Fifth Judicial Circuit’s Judicial Nomination Commission, which investigates, interviews and recommends applicants for appointment to the judiciary. He also currently serves on the board of the Federal Bar Association’s Historical Society.

John believes in this community, and he supports the Salvation Army and Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, as well as the Humane Society of the United States. “I’ve supported the Salvation Army for maybe 15 years, and The Humane Society of the United States for probably as long as I’ve been in Ocala,” John says.

His office is a block away from The Salvation Army, and he sees its beneficiaries almost every day. He and his wife, Mary, are grateful for what this organization provides to people in need. Both John and Mary are also animal lovers—Mary actually runs the family horse farm. This is one reason they find it so important to support the Humane Society. John mentions that it’s not the fault of the animals for being in the deplorable state in which they are often found.

In the past, John also volunteered as a chairman for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce and participated in several political campaigns. But primarily, John is a family man. “To me, my family is the most important thing,” he says.

John and Mary have a daughter and a son—Katie Glynn and Tim Piccin.

Now at ages 47 and 43, both are well into careers of their own. Katie is the Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Services for Marion County, and Tim is an F-16 fighter pilot, now in the United States Air Force Reserve, with over 150 combat missions, two bronze stars and several air medals. Tim also flies 737s for American Airlines. John and Mary also have a 9-year-old grandson, Rory Glynn, who keeps them busy helping with school activities and lessons from piano and soccer to tennis and rowing.

John anticipates many more years of service to family and community.

No. 5 killers: heart disease and stroke. marionheartwalk.kintera.org or (800) 257-6941, ext. 8107

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

(October, TBD)

This annual tradition raises money for the American Cancer Society. Celebrating survivorship, the event happens during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants can join a team or walk as an individual. makingstrides.acsevents.org or (352) 629-4727

Ocala-Silver Springs Rotary Club 3rd Annual Classic

(November, TBD)

This golf tournament, hosted by the OcalaSilver Springs Rotary Club, has benefited Project Hope for the past two years, as well as Rotary International. Golfers can register as an individual or as a team. Project Hope is a transitional housing program that empowers homeless women, children and families to reclaim their lives. projecthopeocala.org or (352) 624-4673

9th Annual Chair-ity Event

(November, TBD)

Hosted by the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors, this event has benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County in previous years. The event features food trucks, silent and live auctions and refreshments. omcar.com or (352) 629-2415

Annual Semesco Shamble

(November, TBD)

The Andrew J. Semesco Foundation Inc. hosts its annual Semesco Shamble at the Ocala Golf Club. All proceeds will benefit neck, head and oral cancer research. ajsfoundation.org or (352) 817-2158

Annual Florida Feast

(November, TBD)

The Florida Feast, hosted by the Marion County Roadbuilders Association, presents an authentic Florida menu year after year. All proceeds benefit ARC Marion, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion Therapeutic Riding Association,

Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Kenny’s Place. iesmarion.org or (352) 629-8868

Special Olympics’ 7th Annual Golf Tournament and 4th Annual Champions for Champions Dinner

(November 5)

These events benefit the local athletes of the Marion County Special Olympics Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. specialolympicsflorida.org/marion or facebook.com/specialolympics marioncountyfl or (352) 243-9536

Annual Toy Run

(December, TBD)

The annual Toy Run, hosted by the Harley Owners Group of Ocala, FL Chapter, benefits underprivileged children in Marion County. Children will meet the riders near the downtown square where toys will be distributed. Children attending are invited through Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and the Marion County Children’s Alliance. Toys are also distributed to Interfaith Emergency Services, the Salvation Army and the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center, among other Marion County charities. ocalahogchapter.net or (352) 427-6679

Pancake Day

(December, TBD)

The largest fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Ocala, come out for a yummy pancake breakfast and help support the Kiwanis Club’s Camp Kiwanis, an overnight summer camp for children living in Marion County. ocalakiwanis.org or (352) 854-2664

Let us know!

Have a charitable event you’d like to see listed in next year’s calendar? Email us at melissa@ocalastyle.com.

*Editor’s Note: This is not a comprehensive list of charitable events in the Marion County area. All events are subject to date changes and cancelation. Events without specific dates are based on when the event was held in previous years. There is no guarantee that the event will be held in this month during 2017 or whether it will be held at all. Contact the event host for more information about the event.

My name is Deborah and I am a single mom of an 8-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son with Autism. We are currently living in a local shelter’s transitional housing program.

United Way’s Strong Families program has provided my family with access to resources, and I love the motivation and encouragement I receive. Through their 15 skill-building sessions I have been given the opportunity to learn new skills or touch up on skills I already had, like setting goals, making a budget and career information. Strong Families has also connected me with a local housing agency to help me move into a single family home so my two children and I can leave the shelter. I appreciate the encouragement and support that I am getting through the United Way. Thank you for your donation. You have really helped me move in the right direction.

I have a passion

The pay-it-forward quote is stuck in my heart and mind forever. I’m involved with many local nonprofits. Here are my favorites:

Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research — I’m a life member and have volunteered for over 10 years and am a past president. We have raised and donated millions of dollars to cancer research at Moffit Center and UF Shands.

Hospice of Marion County — WOW! This organization is amazing. Their passion of care for each patient is truly from the heart from adults to children.

Bunco Babes of Ocala — A group of 12 ladies with hearts of gold, raising funds for Michelle-o-Gram (free mammograms).

There are many, many more non-profits. I feel it’s our duty to take care of our community.

When you give to United Way of Marion County, you are making the most powerful donation possible. That’s

because United Way is dedicated to investing in programs and services that are proven to deliver measurable results that change lives. Together—united—we can do more, help more, and make more of a di erence than any of us could ever do alone. This is one of those times, and we are counting on everyone to make a di erence, to define what it means to truly LIVE UNITED.

Every gift makes a difference. Every gift matters. Every gift is appreciated.

For more information, please call (352) 732-9696

1401 NE 2nd St., Ocala, Fl 34470

Sponsored by

Get involved by volunteering or make your gift to United Way TODAY at uwmc.org!