Southeast Central District

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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.

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Written by Becky Wills

For the last three years, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 has participated in the Angel Tree project. This year, they had one tree for senior citizens who have no family support in the area and another tree for children. The senior citizen tree project is sponsored by the local Brevard County TRIAD Inc., a nonprofit partnership between the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney’s office. TRIAD and its many organizations and business partners work together to develop programs that address the issues of the growing senior population, such as personal safety, health concerns and transportation needs. The children’s tree was dedicated to Brevard Family Partnership, an organization whose mission is to protect children, strengthen families and prevent child abuse. They operate and manage a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care for abused, abandoned and neglected children and their families. They are heavily involved in the child fostering program in Brevard County. Lodge members delivered 58 gifts to One Senior Place for TRIAD’s program and 43 gifts to Brevard Family Partnership. All gifts were donated by lodge members.

Pictured delivering gifts are Heidi Vargas, Becky Wills and Lynn Del Pozo.

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Written by Vero Beach Elks

Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 was recognized by the Indian River County School District at their annual Community Bright Spot Awards Dec. 7 for being an outstanding community partner of the school district in maximizing the full potential of all students. The lodge utilizes the funds from its Elks National Foundation Impact Grant to fund a school store where students purchase goods with digital coins they receive for good behavior, finishing assignments on time and respecting their teachers.

Pictured are lodge members Lorraine Cappelin, Linda Colontrelle, Don Guidry, Karen Guidry, Gail Boatwright, and Deb Stuller and Lyndsey Matheny, principal of Vero Beach Elementary School.

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Written by Vero Beach Elks

Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774 held its 35th annual Toys for Tots dinner Dec. 10. Toys have been collected every year for 35 years, and lodge members have donated more than 350 bicycles and helmets of all sizes over the years. Various children’s toys are also collected.

Pictured are Rich Miller, PER; Victor Diaz, retired Marine; Paul Diaz, District Deputy; and Joe Palowich, Exalted Ruler.