Southeast Central District
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- Written by: Carol and Joe Palowich
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Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 held its annual Christmas event at the Wabasso School using $1,000 from its $2,000 Els National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The Wabasso School is a special education center school serving students ages 5 to 22. To meet the unique needs of the students, they offer four program models: intensive, integrated, behavioral and a transition program. The dedicated staff provides instruction that positively impacts student achievement; communication skills; and social, emotional and behavioral growth. Within a safe and supportive learning environment, children develop their academic and independent living skills to meet post-secondary goals and successful community integration. The money was used to purchase Christmas gifts requested by its 60 students. These gifts ranged from a coupon for McDonald’s to a guitar and were all well received. The students were happy to visit with Santa and show off their gifts. They were treated to cupcakes and juice provided by the Elks.
Pictured are Elks members Nancilee Wydra, the Grinch, PER Joe Palowich, Carol Palowich, Santa, Secretary Kathi Lee Miller, ER Jack McClurken and PER Jim Rannazzisi. The Grinch and Santa are Wabasso school teachers, Gene Hanley and Peter Matson.
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- Written by: Becky Wills
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Viera Lodge fulfilled gift requests from angel trees for children and seniors. Members purchased gifts and returned them to the lodge. The gifts were delivered Dec. 4 to the sponsoring organizations. The children’s gifts were coordinated through Friends of Children of Brevard, an organization that supports children in the foster care system, ensuring that children rescued from harmful environments receive more than what the current system can offer. The senior gifts were coordinated through the Brevard County Triad, a countywide partnership led by the sheriff’s office, local police and the state attorney’s office, which focuses on senior issues in Brevard County. The seniors receiving the gifts are primarily residents in assisted care facilities and who do not have family in the area to support them at Christmas. The lodge provided 24 children’s gifts and 30 seniors’ gifts.
On Dec. 6, Viera Lodge hosted a Christmas party for Family Promise of Brevard, the Down’s Syndrome Association of Brevard, and Friends of Children of Brevard. Homemade Christmas goodies, mini sandwiches and hot chocolate were provided by lodge member Kasha Smith and her team. Each child was also given a stocking full of goodies to take home. Santa was the surprise guest.
On Dec. 8, the Viera Antlers organized a Hoop Shoot for 31 registrants, with support from members of Viera and Cocoa lodges.
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On Dec. 2, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 and Cocoa Elks Lodge #1532 each presented Family Promise of Brevard with a $1,000 check. Viera’s donation came from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant and Cocoa’s came from their charity account. Family Promise of Brevard’s mission is to end family homelessness in Brevard County by collaborating with the community to provide families with support and resources they need to put themselves on a path toward long-term housing stability.
Pictured giving the checks to a Family Promise representative are Antlers Katie Calvert and Erin Enrique; Dan Mogob, Cocoa Lodge Exalted Ruler; and Bill Orblych, PDD.
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Fort Pierce Lodge once again held an Angel Tree project, chaired by members Joann and Kevin Eberle, to collect toys, games and gifts for 67 local children. Of these children, 26 of them are homeless. Members donated approximately $3,000 worth of gifts. Some gifts were delivered Dec. 15. On Dec. 18, members Sue Cook and Kevin and Joann Eberle delivered the remaining gifts to Angels of Hope, which provides help to children experiencing homelessness and to families who are very poor.
Pictured are Joann and Kevin Eberle with some of the gifts.
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- Written by: Carol and Joe Palowich
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Vero Beach Lodge received a request from Dr. Chadwick Bacon, principal of Gifford Middle School, to sponsor the purchase of items for their uniform closet. The school houses a large student population of families with low incomes. With a homeless or displaced student rate of 26%, many students go home to houses with no electricity or running water. Within hours of receiving the request, members voted to purchase $2,000 worth of clothing and hygiene items. Members and spouses scoured Vero Beach for the best deals. The timing of the delivery Nov. 2 was fortunate because several students reported to the front office that they were cold and had no clothes to dress warmly.
Pictured are Pat Stelz, Community Activities Chair and project manager, and Jack "Tex" McClurken, PDD, Exalted Ruler.