Southeast Central District

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Written by Becky Wills & Jerry Harrington

On Feb. 11, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 held a steak dinner, at which the lodge’s Antlers members served and helped clean up. In addition, they gave each lady in attendance a red rose that they purchased from their own budget. On March 25, Viera Lodge held a joint installation ceremony for lodge officers, followed by Antlers lodge officers. “It was the most well-attended installation ceremony I have seen in 47 years of Elkdom. These youngsters are truly the future of our order,” said Jerry Harrington, Exalted Ruler.

Pictured are three of the members who helped serve the February dinner — Jake Vargas, Ronald Adlin and Janey Vargas. Also pictured are the 2023-2024 Viera Antlers new officers.

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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.