Viera Elks Lodge #2817 participated in the 25th annual Stand Down to Stand Up for Veterans, which took place Jan. 21 at the Cocoa Armory. The event is primarily organized by the Veterans Memorial Center, but it is supported by local charitable organizations and service providers, such as doctors and dentists. The number of at-risk veterans is usually matched or exceeded by the number of volunteers. The lodge’s effort was led by member and veteran Bruce Campbell. Members donated gift cards, nonperishable food items, underwear and household goods, which Campbell delivered to the event in the name of the lodge.
Viera Lodge also formed a new alliance with Homes for the Homeless, an organization that assists residents of Brevard County who are homeless or who have low incomes. They help individuals, children and families. They also provide housing for the elderly and people who are disabled or have mental illness who would otherwise have nowhere to go, and they rehabilitate neighborhood slums into attractive, affordable homes. These services help to eliminate housing instability and self-medication or drug and alcohol addictions, which will reduce hospitalization, associated criminal activity and incarceration, saving Brevard County thousands of tax dollars. The lodge has made several donations to program residents from the Elks National Foundation Focus Grant, including $500 Feb. 1 for auto repairs, $168 Feb. 22 for rental assistance, and $128 Feb. 22 for auto insurance assistance. On Feb. 8 the lodge also donated $300 to the organization. Additionally, the lodge donated $128 to assist Cocoa Elks Lodge pay for tuition for a local veteran.