Marion Senior Services

08/29/2026

Words from one of our own.

08/26/2026

We will not leave our clients without transportation.

As today’s Ocala Gazette article highlights, Marion Senior Services is working closely with the City of Ocala and Marion County to address the challenges facing Marion Transit.

Our commitment is clear: We are working with our community partners to find a way forward and ensure transportation continues for the seniors and residents who depend on it.

For many of our seniors, transportation means much more than getting from one place to another. It means getting to a doctor’s appointment, picking up groceries, going to work, visiting a friend, or simply staying connected to the community they call home.

We know how important that independence and connection are. We are committed to doing everything we can to keep our seniors moving and connected.

We are grateful to the City of Ocala, Marion County and the Transportation Planning Organization for working with us during this challenging time.

Our seniors matter. Their independence matters. And we are committed to finding a path forward.

Read the full Ocala Gazette article below. ⬇️

After 40 years of operating the familiar Marion Transit buses, Marion Senior Services is calling it quits. The organization first announced its intentions to drop the bus service in July. During an Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization workshop on Aug. 25, MSS announced plans to g...

08/18/2026

We are incredibly proud to see Captain Blaire recognized for his outstanding leadership and commitment to our community. 💙

As a valued member of the Marion Senior Services Board and a key leader of our Senior Crisis Mobile Response Team, Captain Blaire exemplifies what is possible when caring professionals and community partners come together with one shared goal: protecting our seniors and helping them remain safe, supported and independent.

His leadership, compassion and commitment to collaboration make a real difference in the lives of older adults and families across our community.

Thank you, Captain Blaire for leading with purpose and helping us build a stronger safety net for our seniors. We are grateful to have you on our team and in our community!

As we reflect on a successful Zero Su***de Summit in St. Johns, we have a lot to look forward to. Our speaker lineup for our upcoming Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County is just as exciting!

Meet Capt. Jesse Blaire of Ocala Fire Rescue.

Jesse has spent nearly three decades on the front lines of emergency medical care, beginning his career as an EMT in 1997 before becoming a paramedic in 2000. Since then, his work has taken him from Ocala Fire Rescue to the ShandsCair Critical Care Transport Program and the Ocala Police Department’s SWAT team.

He is also the co-founder of the University of Florida’s Critical Care Transport Paramedic Program and developed Ocala Fire Rescue’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program, with a focus on chronic disease management, opioid use disorder and dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Jesse brings a perspective to the Zero Su***de Summit that comes from years of responding to people in some of their most difficult moments. We’re excited to have him join us in Marion County and add his experience to an important conversation about su***de prevention and the role we all play in building stronger communities.

Join us Sept. 3 for the Marion Zero Su***de Summit. Get your tickets today and be part of the conversation - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/12/2026

Did you know, that you can join BJ's Wholesale Club and give to Marion Senior Services at the same time? See the info below.

08/12/2026

Blessings abound at Marion Senior Services!!

A heartfelt thank you to the Ocala West United Methodist Church Mission Team for their incredible generosity! They donated more than 70 beautiful gift bags, each filled with a stuffed toy, a cozy throw, and an activity book.

These thoughtful gifts will bring comfort, warmth, and a little extra joy to many of the seniors we serve. We are so grateful for your kindness and for the love you have shown to our seniors! What a beautiful way to make a difference in the lives of others.

08/12/2026

Thank you, VITAS Healthcare, for your incredible generosity and continued care for our community!

Your generous $30,000 donation will help Marion Senior Services continue providing vulnerable seniors with the resources, support, and services they need to live with dignity, independence, and connection.

We are so grateful for your partnership and your commitment to caring for seniors in our community. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

08/12/2026

Our Senior Crisis Mobile Response Team had the honor of hosting Lt. Gov. Jay Collins to share our model and the incredible collaboration happening here to better serve elders in crisis.

We are especially grateful to Sheriff Woods and the Marion County Sheriff's Office for believing in this initiative six years ago—and continuing to believe in it today. And to our 18+ multidisciplinary partners: thank you for showing up, collaborating, and relentlessly working toward a better system for our seniors.

We are stronger together, and our community shines because of your leadership, commitment, and heart.

08/11/2026

Thank you, Ocala Gazette, for joining us and Marion Cultural Alliance for the Opening Reception of our 11th Annual Art of Aging: Living in Color!

These beautiful photos capture the joy, creativity, and spirit of an incredible evening celebrating aging, art, and our amazing community.

We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this night—and this celebration—so special!

See more photos from the opening reception using this link: https://www.ocalagazette.com/art-of-aging-living-in-color-opening-reception/

08/07/2026

This has been an extraordinary week for Marion Senior Services!

We are incredibly honored to be recognized with the 2026 Outstanding Community-Based Aging Services Award at the Florida Council on Aging Conference. This statewide recognition celebrates organizations that help older adults remain safe, healthy, and independent in their homes—and that mission is at the heart of everything we do.

As if that wasn't enough, we were also awarded a $100,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America—one of only two organizations in Florida selected. This investment will help us begin serving some of the more than 900 homebound seniors currently waiting for nutritious meals.

These recognitions belong to our dedicated staff, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who make this work possible every day. They are also a reminder that while we celebrate these milestones, our work is far from finished. Too many seniors in our community are still waiting for the services they need, and we remain committed to finding innovative ways to serve them.

Thank you to everyone who believes in our mission and walks alongside us. Together, we're making a difference—one senior, one family, and one act of kindness at a time. ❤️