OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Greater Ocala Woman’s Club (GOWC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that hosts local events and fundraisers to support community needs. They have supported multiple organizations including The Fostering Foundation, Interfaith Emergency Services, SOZO Kids, CASA Marion, Arnette House Inc., The College of Central Florida and Project Hope.

They hosted “Growing with Purpose” at the Ocala Fire Museum on Saturday, August 22, 2026, for women to have a chance to socialize and learn more about the GOWC. This was a new style of event for the club, during which they recruited new members. The occasion featured activities for guests to participate in while presenting past accomplishments of the club and introducing new goals.

A group of woman posing in a firefighter museum.
A group of woman talking, eating and socializing.
A group of women watch a presentation in a dim room.
Women grab food from a charcuterie-style lunch station.
Two women pose together at a table with GFWC advertisements.

The event featured flowerpots for guests to decorate along with vibrant flowers to plant in them, along with raffles and a jellybean guessing game. Guests were invited to sign up to join the club to support the community where they can. Members emphasized the flexibility of the club, encouraging newcomers to participate where they can without the pressure of being at every event.

A group of women sitting at a table with flowers and plates.
A table with a white table cloth. Art supplies on top of the table.
Women sitting at a long table with flower decorations socialize.
A woman with gloves puts colorful flowers into matching flower pots.

One of the club’s most recent initiatives is their President’s Project, the Firefighter Scholarship Fund where they take their mascot, Dottie the Dalmatian, around Marion County to fundraise for aspiring firefighters. Some of Dottie’s appearances have included out-of-state trips, The College of Central Florida, Ocala Family Dentistry, Minami Granite Designs and most recently, Growing with Purpose.

Dottie has plenty more locations in store as the GOWC continues to fundraise with proceeds going to the help train and educate the next generation of first reponders. The GOWC will be collecting donations for the scholarship fund for two years with all donations up to June 2028 going back to the community for future firefighters.

Anyone can donate through the GOWC website to help them support students through their pivotal years of becoming firefighters. Learn more about the GOWC through their website or visit their Facebook page here.

A dalmatian plush toy on a white table. A sign advertising a firefighter scholarship fund behind it.
The GOWC brings Dottie the Dalmatian around the county, collecting donations for their Firefighter Scholarship Fund.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today