Southeast Central District

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Written by Viera Elks

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

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

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.

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Written by Becky Wills

Viera Elks Lodge #2817 sponsored its annual senior angel tree. This year, the lodge partnered with One Senior Place and Seniors Helping Seniors, two local senior-focused organizations, to identify seniors in need who do not have family near to provide gifts during the holidays. Lodge members donated 56 gifts based on the requests of each senior.

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Written by Carol and Joe Palowich

During the week of Oct 14, Vero Beach Elks delivered a total of 980 dictionaries to third grade students and teachers at Beachland Elementary, Citrus Elementary, Dodgertown Elementary, Glendale Elementary, Imagine Schools at South Vero, Indian River Academy, North County Charter School, Osceola Magnet, Rosewood Magnet, Vero Beach Elementary and St. Helen's Catholic School. This was the eighth year providing dictionaries to local schools. The dictionaries are well received by the teachers and students and are used daily in the classrooms. PDD Paul Diaz chaired this project and volunteers labeled and delivered the dictionaries.

Pictured with third grade students at St. Helen’s Catholic School are Joseph Palowich, PER; Carol Palowich, Public Relations Chair; Jordyn Hughes, teacher’s assistant; and Christie Colwell, third grade teacher.