Southeast Central District

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Written by Pauline Talbott

On Feb. 26, Sebastian Lodge held an event with more than 100 members in attendance for a presentation of $12,500 to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit charity committed to honoring the sacrifices made by first responders and military personnel who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. This donation was made possible by the dedication and hard work of lodge members for the lodge golf tournament and other fundraisers under the organization of co-chairs Benny and Susan Colson. Additional funds raised that day brought the total donation to $13,205.

Pictured are first responders from Indian River County Fire Rescue; Susan Colson, fundraising co-chair; Chuck Marchetti, Exalted Ruler; a representative from Tunnels to Towers; Benny Colson, fundraising co-chair; Fred Jones, Sebastian mayor; and Dan Acosta, police chief.  

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Written by Pauline Talbott

On Jan. 13, the El-Does, the ladies auxiliary of Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714, donated $1,200 to Sebastian Elementary to cover the cost of school uniforms for those in need. The money was raised over the course of the third quarter with a dance in October and a chance raffle.

Mary Ducharme, El-Does Treasurer, presented the check to the administrative assistant. 

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Written by Pauline Talbott

Sebastian Lodge’s ladies auxiliary, the El-Does, did a lottery board raffle of a $50 bill and $105 worth of scratch-off tickets to fund Sebastian Police Department’s Shop-with-a-Cop. The raffle generated $1,590 for the shopping trip held Dec. 14, where 150 children in Indian River County were given $100 to shop with a cop.

Pictured with the Sebastian Police Department COPE Unit are Diane Lemire, Elk and El-Doe; Pauline Talbott, Elk and El-Does co-director; and Mary Ducharme, El-Does Treasurer.

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Written by Pauline Talbott

On Nov. 1, Sebastian Lodge took part in Toys for Tots by placing collection boxes in the lodge social quarters and hall. The boxes had to be emptied several times. A dinner dance hosted by the El-Does Ladies auxiliary Dec. 10 brought in even more toys. On Dec. 15, all toys and bicycles valued at more than $7,500 and a monetary donation of $710 were delivered to Toys for Tots of Indian River County.

Pictured are Tony Vitale; Audrey Huddy, Elk and El-Doe; Debbie Lawerence; Pam Saracene, Elk and El-Does co-director; Dan Talbott, Leading Knight; Pauline Talbott, Elk and El-Does co-director; Mary Fox, El-Doe; Carol Vitale, Elk and El-Doe, seated; Mary Ducharme, El-Does Treasurer; and Michael Schodlbauer, PDD.

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Written by Ginny Young

On Dec. 9, Jean Citto, Lecturing Knight, and Bob Citto, Loyal Knight, of Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 presented the Fort Pierce Police Department chief and officers with thousands of dollars’ worth of toys for local children in need, along with an additional $1,500 in cash and gift cards. Lodge members as well as residents in Harbor Isle East and West and members of the Shrine Club and Pioneers were generous in their donations.

In mid-December, Fort Pierce Lodge’s Jean Citto, Lecturing Knight; Bob Citto, Loyal Knight; and Beverly Dally delivered $3,200 worth of shirts and snacks to Chester A. Moore Elementary School, Lakewood Park School and White City School as requested. These were purchased with funds from the lodge’s backpack program, along with donations from bar games and personal donations.

Pictured with members of the Fort Pierce Police Department are Jean Citto, Lecturing Knight; Bobbie Freeling, Treasurer; and Ginny Young, Secretary.

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Written by Becky Wills

At the annual Exalted Ruler’s eggnog party Dec. 17, Viera Lodge made donations to three local charities. Genesis House, a facility that provides transitional shelter for homeless women and their children, long-term housing for student mothers and their children, and shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children, was given $2,000 from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. Brevard School Foundation, a direct support nonprofit organization designed to match community resources with the needs of public schools, was given $2,000. The lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant provided $1,750 and $250 was used from the lodge’s unencumbered charity account. Family Promise of Brevard, an organization whose mission is to end family homelessness in Brevard County by collaborating with the community to provide families the support and resources they need to put themselves on a path toward long-term housing stability, was given $4,000. The lodge’s Beacon Grant provided $2,000, the lodge’s Gratitude Grant provided $1,750 and the lodge’s unencumbered charity account provided $250. 

Pictured are Jim Cerianni of Family Promise of Brevard; William Orblych, PDD; and Jerry Harrington, PDD, Exalted Ruler.