Southeast Central District

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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.

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Written by Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE

On Halloween, members of Sebastian Lodge hosted Trunk or Treat at Fellsmere Elementary, with 21 stations. The volunteers handed out more than $900 in treats (candy and novelty items, including Drug Awareness supplies). They also distributed Drug Awareness coloring books and Red Ribbons, and students used Drug Awareness bags to collect their treats. There were 566 students participating in the event.

Pictured are all the volunteers as well as the school principal, vice principal and guidance counselor.

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Written by Pauline Talbott, PSP-FLOE

On Oct. 17, Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714 participated in the National Night Out at Riverview Park, hosted by the Sebastian Police Department COPE Unit. The lodge shared information about the Drug Awareness essay and poster contest and distributed red ribbons and coloring books to approximately 40 children. They provided Americanism essay contest information to approximately 50 children. They also distributed information about Elks National Foundation Scholarships and the HOPE Scholarship to more than 75 families of high school seniors. In addition, they gave out six membership applications.

Pictured are Louie Reyes, Loyal Knight; Mary Ducharme, Ladies President; Mike Sadler, Lecturing Knight; Jennifer Sadler; and Tony Vitale.

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Written by Cocoa Beach Elks

Beginning July 21, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 held a back-to-school drive for Roosevelt Elementary in Cocoa Beach after Susan Dilworth-Jones, Lodge Secretary, reached out to the principal and asked what they needed most to start the school year. She replied that her greatest need was basic school supplies and additional funds for the Angel Fund, a backup fund for students who don’t have money in their lunch accounts. Dilworth-Jones created a flyer describing the need and goal and distributed the information to the members. They donated numerous supplies, and the lodge donated $200 to the Angel fund.

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Written by Rachael King

On April 7, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 held its19th annual Golf Classic at Rockledge Country Club, which was open to the public. The event was chaired by member Heidi Vargas, who put together a team comprised of Antlers members and lodge members. The committee greeted 104 players. There were 31 hole sponsors and 72 door prizes to be raffled. At the end of play, the golfers were invited to the lodge for sandwiches, snacks, door prizes and the raffle. The proceeds from the event allowed the lodge to donate $1,500.00 each to Survive First and Veterans Connections to A New life.  The lodge’s charity fund also received $7,669. Survive First is an organization whose mission is to reduce first responder suicide through quality education, peer support and mental wellness resources. They are a source for first responders and their families seeking information to help navigate through the mental health challenges that result from a career in public safety and health fields. Their motto is “No First Responder Left Behind.” Veterans Connections to A New Life is an organization whose mission is to provide unique and personalized service and support to veterans, at no charge, who are homeless or at-risk and struggling to transition into civilian life. They provide basic essentials, like backpacks full of toiletries, as well as find them adequate housing or purchasing home furnishings. They also offer substance abuse programs. The lodge’s donation is directed to their PTSD Equine Therapy Program.