OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Greater Ocala Woman’s Club presented the 6th Annual Heart of a Hero Male Fashion Show this weekend with another lineup of community heroes. The show was hosted on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in the College of Central Florida’s Klein Center from 5:30-8 p.m.

The Greater Ocala Woman’s Club is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and uplifting the community through charitable, educational and philanthropic activities. Their most recent venture is the Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show where community leaders and heroes walk the catwalk with their heroic uniforms and dazzling suits, showcasing a community of people who shape lives. The fashion show isn’t just a display of community heroes; it also serves the community further by dedicating all proceeds to the Fostering Foundation and the Marion County K-9 units.

A crowd of people sit at tables and stand in circles, conversing during an event. A DJ stands in the background with a speaker to his right.
A crowd of guests, sit, mingle and walk around prior to The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026, as DJ Santiago Gomez plays lively music.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

The Fostering Foundation is a place of support for Marion County’s foster children, parents and family with the goal of making children feel welcome, seen and cared for as well as offering connection, resources and experiences for foster families who open their homes to feel supported. They host foster parent training, support groups, holiday celebrations, summer activities, urgent need, school scholarships and much more.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit currently features eight teams, trained for patrol applications and completing an annual certification. On top of supporting the community by supporting patrol deputies, the K-9 teams also visit schools, churches and businesses to showcase live demonstrations to give the community a better sense of the importance of the K-9 unit. All proceeds from the fashion show will be donated to the Fostering Foundation to continue their goal of supporting foster families with partial donations being donated to support the Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, providing new vests for the K-9’s to protect them with their handlers.

The evening began with the Master of Ceremonies by Galen Unold while DJ Santiago Gomez provided a high-energy selection of befitting music for the show. Guests then moved to the registration where door prize tickets and drink vouchers were handed to guests before heading inside for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. At this time, guests had the opportunity to take part in a silent auction for framed photos, gift cards and a teddy bear, as well as the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets where guests could win gift baskets donated by guests and businesses.

A long table features charcuterie items including crackers, cheese, meat cubes, fruits, small deserts and more. Some items are on higher tiers on top of red table toppers.
Charcuterie was provided for guests at The Heart of a Hero Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
A woman stands behind a tall table with beer and white bottles on either side of it.
Johanna Acosta served alcoholic beverages at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Prior to the show beginning, the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard marched to the front of the runway, showing colored flags before leading guests into the National Anthem and pledge of allegiance. After welcoming statements and recognition, the show began, kicking off with lively music matching the career of each hero.

A line of people dressed in honor guard uniforms and holding flags stand facing a crowd. The crowd of guests clap as the honor guard took their positions.
The Marion County Memorial Honor Guard marched to the runway and presented colors, leading guests into the National Anthem and pledge of allegiance at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

This year’s lineup featured:

Jeff Hill, a mortgage lender and foster father who changed the lives of many children throughout 10 years of fostering. After adopting six children, his family is on the way to adopting two more children, bringing their family count to 10.

Two men stand together in front of a catwalk. One man is speaking into a microphone while the other holds a jacket. In the background is a group of guests watching.
Jeff Hill showcased his outfit, taking off his jacket and tossing it to the ground in an entertaining display during The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Mike Balken has served with the Ocala Police Department since 1994, originating as a patrol officer before rising through the ranks. Now, he serves as chief of police, forming a strong community connection through community initiatives and mentoring.

A man in a police chief uniform stands at the end of a catwalk, saluting his hat to a crowd of people applauding.
Mike Balken showed off his officer uniform, tipping his hat to the audience at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Tycie Linneman serves as an OB-GYN with AdventHealth Ocala, bringing his experience to Ocala in 2024 and delivering his own daughter with his wife in January. After walking the stage, he shared his experiences from Ocala and beyond.

A man wearing green scrubs, a doctor coat and a stethoscope walks down a catwalk with red and white balloons on either side of him.
Tycie Linneman, an OB-GYN with AdventHealth Ocala, shows his scrubs at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Robert Haight has served as president and CEO of United Way in multiple states and counties. In 2021, Haight found United Way of Marion County through connection and joined the team as a contract employee. Now, he serves as president and CEO of United Way of Marion County after settling down with his wife in Marion County.

A man walks down a catwalk, waving to a crowd of people with decorative red and white balloons on either side of him.
Robert Haight is president and CEO of United Way of Marion County, showcasing his HCA Florida hat and Strong Families shirt at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Christopher Kimball, a 4th grade teacher with the Marion County Public School system. After serving Kmart Distribution, AutoZone Distribution and working as a professional photographer, Kimball decided to pursue teaching, starting a new journey three years ago of teaching elementary students. After walking the stage, Kimball described his teaching experience, remarking that students enjoy his classes.

A man stands at the end of a catwalk, leaning forward slightly with his glasses slightly adjusted downward while holding onto a lanyard. Surrounding him is a crowd of people watching and a man in the background announcing him.
Christopher Kimball jokingly leans toward the crowd, showcasing his teaching attire at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Clint Welborn graduated from Florida State Fire College before serving the Newberry and Dunnellon Fire Departments. In 1998, he moved on to Ocala Fire Rescue as a firefighter and EMT where he took charge in multiple leadership positions. Now, he serves as Fire Chief, continuing to serve the community with his vast experience and leadership.

A man dressed in a firefighter uniform walks through a crowd of people with a stern look.
Clint Welborn showcases his firefighter uniform, walking through a crowd of guests at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
A couple sits together at a decorated table with open programs in front of them for a fashion show.
Clint (right) and Aubrey (left) Welborn sit together prior to the fashion show at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Shawn Gallagher has served Marion County Fire Rescue as a firefighter and paramedic for 22 years while starting his foster father journey three years ago. Now, he is a critical care paramedic, utilizing the county’s specialty truck with advanced equipment for longer ambulance rides and urgent patients. After walking the stage, he shared that Marion County shares one truck providing specialized care one patient at a time.

A man in a critical care, emergency service shirt waves a stethoscope in the air while walking down a catwalk with red and white balloons on either side of him.
Shawn Gallagher, a firefighter and paramedic with Marion County Fire Rescue, waved his stethoscope in the aire on the runway during The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Reverend Warren Hardaway is a pastor of the New Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, pursuing his calling of shepherding. Although he has four decades of engineering experience, he began pursuing his passion after earning an electrical engineering B.S., finishing his educational journey by earning a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology.

A man in a priests outfit poses on a stage with red balloons on either side of him and a black curtain being held slightly open behind him.
Reverand Warren Hardaway, a pastor with New Shady grove Missionary Baptist Church, strutted his clergy robe at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Brien Weidemiller is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps in Aviation, serving for six years before returning to Ocala in 2014. He has since completed a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and started his own automotive repair company while raising his two children.

A man in a United States Marine Corps uniform walks down a catwalk with red and white balloons on either side of him and a black curtain in the background.
Brien Weidemiller, a U.S. Veteran showcased his United States Marine Corps uniform while walking the runway at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

CPL. Jarrick Donely has served as deputy of the Marion County’s Sheriff’s (MCSO) Office for 10 years. K-9 Carrier was originally raised in Hungary before being imported to the United States in 2023 where he was chosen by MCSO and paired with Donely. Now, they both serve with the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.

A man in a police uniform walks with a K-9 down a catwalk with ballons on either side of them.
CPL. Jarrick Donely walks with K-9 Carrier on the runway of The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026, showing the community one of the K-9’s who will receive some of the donations for protective vests.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

The first walk down the runway featured the men in their uniforms as foster dad, fireman, police, paramedic, doctor, pastor community leader, military, teacher and sheriff. Following the first walk, a live auction took place, auctioning diamond earrings, a Florida Gators teddy bear and an FSU teddy bear where friendly rivalry heated up the room between football teams with the earrings being sold for $1,400 and each teddy bear going for $100.

Florida Gators and Florida State University teddy bears sit next to each other on a stage.
Florida Gators and Florida State University teddy bears were auctioned off for $100 at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

The second walk down the runway featured each man in their finest suits as some spun, opened their jackets and entertained the crowd. Following the second walk, winners of the raffles and silent auction were announced. The first item was the 50/50 raffle where a guest won around $250, generously giving it back to the Fostering Foundation. Some of the baskets donated included items from Stella’s Modern Pantry, Smokehouse BBQ, Coastal Vibes and some of the audience members.

A table is lined with gift baskets with small cups of raffle tickets in front of them. Guests peer at the baskets, placing raffle tickets into the cups.
Multiple gift baskets donated by businesses and audience members were raffled off to guests at The Heart of a Hero Men’s Fashion Show on Feb. 28, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

The fashion show brought together a strong sense of community through showcasing leaders, first responders, mentors, healers and soldiers, walking the runway with fun and entertaining struts for a further purpose of fostering support for organizations playing a large role in keeping the community safe, connected and seen. To learn more about the Fostering Foundation, how to get involved or donate, visit the website here. To learn more about the Greater Ocala Woman’s Club, join and volunteer, visit the website here.