Viera Lodge fulfilled gift requests from angel trees for children and seniors. Members purchased gifts and returned them to the lodge. The gifts were delivered Dec. 4 to the sponsoring organizations. The children’s gifts were coordinated through Friends of Children of Brevard, an organization that supports children in the foster care system, ensuring that children rescued from harmful environments receive more than what the current system can offer. The senior gifts were coordinated through the Brevard County Triad, a countywide partnership led by the sheriff’s office, local police and the state attorney’s office, which focuses on senior issues in Brevard County. The seniors receiving the gifts are primarily residents in assisted care facilities and who do not have family in the area to support them at Christmas. The lodge provided 24 children’s gifts and 30 seniors’ gifts.
On Dec. 6, Viera Lodge hosted a Christmas party for Family Promise of Brevard, the Down’s Syndrome Association of Brevard, and Friends of Children of Brevard. Homemade Christmas goodies, mini sandwiches and hot chocolate were provided by lodge member Kasha Smith and her team. Each child was also given a stocking full of goodies to take home. Santa was the surprise guest.
On Dec. 8, the Viera Antlers organized a Hoop Shoot for 31 registrants, with support from members of Viera and Cocoa lodges.