Donation made to PACE Center

(OCALA, FLORIDA) Firehouse magazine, a national fire service publication, issued three Community Service Awards this year. Battalion Chief Brian Stoothoff with Ocala Fire Rescue was the recipient of one of the awards.

In keeping with the theme of community service, Chief Stoothoff decided to donate the check he received to PACE Center for Girls. The acronym PACE stands for Practical Academic Cultural Education. The mission of the organization is to “provide girls and young women the opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy”.

In addition to the check from Firehouse magazine, he matched the amount with a personal check to PACE Center. The check presentation was made at a ceremony held last evening at the Marion County Library.

In the inserted photo, Brian Stoothoff stands with Cathleen Blagay, executive director of PACE.