Southeast Central District

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Written by Susan Janes

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Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 sponsored the Brevard Robotics Pink Team, pictured, a group of young people who represented Brevard County at the 2025 first robotics world championship in Houston, Texas, April 16-19. The Pink Team made a triumphant return to worlds for the first time since 2019, earning top honors across three regionals, including the first Impact Award and Woodie Flowers Finalist Award. They placed 21st on the Galileo field.

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Written by Becky Wills

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On April 26, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 supported the Superhero 5k, an annual event organized by Friends of Children of Brevard to raise money for their organization, which helps support the social, emotional and educational needs of the nearly 1,000 children in the welfare/foster system in Brevard County. They are committed to changing the tough reality where kids’ lives are turned upside down by being removed from their home and placed into the welfare/foster system. Lodge members and Antlers participated in various events. They also had a shade tent where participants could get cold water and get out of the sun for a few moments. They were also a $1,500 sponsor, which they funded by their Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Pictured are members Ken Roger, Exalted Ruler Mark Harrell and Dr. Steve White.

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Written by Viera Elks

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The Viera Antlers hosted a chili cook-off fundraiser at the lodge Feb. 22 to benefit Family Promise of Brevard, an organization that works to end family homelessness. There was a $10 entry fee and 12 entries. The judges were comprised of lodge members and officers and one parent who did not have a child entered. There were 40 attendees and the event raised $500.

Pictured are Antler Evelyn Djie and first place winner Mark Mailloux, longtime lodge member and lodge chef. Also pictured are Antlers Aileen Aguilar-Duarte and Evelyn Djie. Pictured behind the table are Antler Jake Vargas; lodge member Alison Ditscheit; Antlers Nigel Schroder, Jet Rhodes, Alexis Cundiff, and Sean Straussley; and lodge member Ken Roger.

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Written by Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE

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On Jan. 27, Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 provided $1,000 in food items, including cereal, peanut butter, pancake mix, syrup, tuna, Tuna Helper, potatoes, pudding and juice boxes, to Pelican Island Elementary for its Backpack Buddies program. This program helps families in need by sending food home with children for the weekends.

Pictured are members Dan Talbott, Exalted Ruler; Donna Urban and Penny Dye. Also pictured are two school employees; Charlotte Jobes, administrative assistant; and Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE, Lodge Youth Activities Chair.

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Written by Becky Wills

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On Dec. 8, Viera Lodge hosted a brunch with Santa at Family Promise of Brevard in Cocoa, whose mission is to end family homelessness. The event was organized by member Kasha Harrell, and Santa (PER Paul Bonville) thrilled all the guests with his real snowy white beard. Lunch was served and stockings full of goodies and gifts were given to the children. The lodge also used its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to donate $750 worth of gift cards to the organization. Also using this grant, the lodge donated $1,000 worth of gift cards to Friends of Children of Brevard, an organization whose focus is looking out for children in the foster care system. They raise funds and solicit in-kind donations to provide for the unmet needs of children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Many of the youth they support are older and have more specialized requests, so the lodge decided to give gift cards for them.