Southeast Central District

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Written by Pauline Talbott

Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 and its ladies auxiliary, the EL-DOEs, hosted a school supply drive from Aug. 1 through Sept. 10 to support Sebastian Elementary and Little Birthday Angels. Little Birthday Angels is a nonprofit organization in Vero Beach, Florida, serving the Treasure Coast and provides duffel bags filled with various items for the birthdays of community children experiencing homelessness. This year they plan to assist more than 200 children in the county. Pictured with a sample of the donated supplies are Billy Shallies, Exalted Ruler; Audrey Huddy, Elk and EL-DOE; Mary Ducharme, EL-DOEs president; Doreen Marchetti, Lecturing Knight; Pauline Talbott, House Committee chair and EL-DOEs vice president; Pam Saracene, Elk; and Dan Talbott, Leading Knight. Little Birthday Angels picked up their donations Sept. 13 and the school’s supplies will be delivered Sept. 23 as an appointment was required to enter the school due to COVID restrictions.

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Written by Tom Wojnar

On Aug. 20 at Melbourne Elks Lodge #1744, Exalted Ruler Dolores Casella (right) presented the lodge’s $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Jeffrey Njus (middle), executive director of Daily Bread Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps to feed those who have had financial hardships from the pandemic. Looking on is Tom Wojnar, the lodge grant coordinator. The Daily Bread also helps those in need to find affordable housing. As part of its outreach program, they also assist people in obtaining a copy of their birth certificate and Social Security number, which are important in getting a job.

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Written by Erin Harmening

On July 29, Cocoa Elks Lodge #1532 presented a $200 check and a car-full of school supplies to the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida. The donation also included backpacks, gently used and new school clothes, shoes, art supplies, and stuffed animals. Recipients were students ages 6 to 18. The lodge wanted to help prepare and excite them to get back to school and wishes them a safe and happy school year. Pictured are Erin C. Harvey, Development Officer Brevard County, Boys & Girls Club of Cental Florida; Bonnie Pippen, lodge house committee member, and Beth Scarborough, lodge Tiler.

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Written by Becky Wills

Viera Elks Lodge #2817 established a new partnership with the Brevard Schools Foundation in April 2021. The foundation fills educational funding and opportunity gaps at all of Brevard Counties’ public schools for over 75,000 students and 5,000 teachers by supporting innovation, engaging communities and changing lives. Funds come from private contributions, corporate support, public matching funds, fundraising and endowments. Led by lodge treasurer, Wendy Carns, PER, the lodge joined forces with local businesses Boys Electric and Enterprise Rental to deliver 10 pallets of hand sanitizer to local schools June 23.

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Written by Barb Hartrick, PER

Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge #1870 presented donations to two local charities using funds from their Elks National Foundation grants. On March 31, they donated their $2,000 Gratitude Grant to Elev8hope at their newest property in Stuart, Florida, called Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings. As stated on their website, “Through educating, training, and inspiring our youth to become compassionate leaders,” Elev8Hope “works to positively impact the community of Martin County by connecting with individuals and families struggling to meet the most basic requirements of daily living.” On May 5, the lodge presented their remaining $2,345 of the Beacon Grant to House of Hope at their headquarters in Stuart. Their website states that “House of Hope is a nonprofit agency that provides food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, information and referral, and life-changing case management services to Martin County residents in need.”

Barbara Hartrick, PER, Exalted Ruler, presents a donation for their food pantry to Bob Ranieri, CEO of House of Hope.