Southeast Central District

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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.

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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.