Newsletter – April 2020

Charitable donations, supporting local chairties — Guest Speaker Series

Guest Speaker Series

On April 29^th we held our first ZOOM membership meeting. Our guest speaker was Amber Bachelor, President of the Sebastian River Area Chamber. She gave us updates on the current happenings with the Covid19 issue.

The Chamber began it’s In the Know Tuesday morning business briefs several weeks ago. Knowledgeable speakers give input from their respective fields. Next week Dr. Edwin Massey, past President of IRSC will speak about the educational impact the pandemic has had.

Amber stated that Tuesday, May 5^th is GivingTuesday 2020, a non-profit matching fund initiative. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Clubs should register at the www.givingtuesday.org website.

She also spoke of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Main Street America where local governments will receive funds to include non-profit organizations. Our local city managers are meeting with the Community Foundation and need non-profit input.

A Business Impact Survey is being developed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Business Development Center and Treasure Coast Research to determine how counties are being impacted. The United Way of Indian River County has a Community Response Fund and has raised in excess of $1 million to be used by its various local non-profits to assist those who have been impacted.

The financial impact is expected to increase throughout the summer, and we may see more layoffs. However, with increase in demand grocery stores and pharmacies are now hiring.

In closing, Amber emphasized that Indian River County will get through this – city managers and county administrators are working together. We should continue to reach out to representatives to support the 501c3 organizations, relaying the financial impact and overall economic impact this pandemic has caused. And always shop local if possible! Amber is available for assistance at 772-589-5969.

Community Involvement

And here are even more recent “positives” thanks to the generosity of local folks. This community has always come together during the worst times, and the coronavirus pandemic is no different. When the pandemic is over, we ask everyone to remember these local businesses:

From Frank Nolan Roseland McDonald’s: “It is almost end of April so want to give you what your unbelievable generosity did this month. First of all our owners, HouCorp donated 1,000 sandwiches to Holmes Hospital. Roseland McDonald’s 600 sandwiches to Sebastian Medical Center. Get ready -your amazing donations paid for 14 out of work people’s groceries. Get this – 346 sandwiches or meals for truckers, Vets, out of work hospitality workers, homeless and domestic violence victims. We always take care of first responders. Our thank you meals to medical going great!”

From The Senior Resource center: Positive outcomes are happening every day and with the help of donors, volunteers, and staff we will all come through this crisis stronger than ever. Thanks to a grant from Meals on Wheels America, we will be able to purchase prepared meals for approximately 100 homebound seniors next month. Our NEW Grocery Shopping Assistance program for homebound seniors is providing a much-needed service at this time. Staff pick up the grocery list and form of payment from the client, do the grocery shopping, and deliver the order back to the client. This new program was made possible thanks to funding through the Area Agency on Aging. As of April 10th, GoLine buses were limited to 10 riders per trip. Two routes were temporarily suspended and the buses from those routes are assisting with the overflow. It’s running smoothly!

Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach is donating N95 masks to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and is now producing face shields for medical personnel.

From Karen McElveen: Our Sebastian Exchange Club Board of Directors and the District 5 leaders are still at work keeping things moving forward for Exchange, even during this lockdown. Zoom video conferences are taking place and decisions are being made so we stay Exchange Strong!

April is the National Exchange Club month to promote The Prevention of Child Abuse. In that light, a committee of club leaders within the District voted to erect signs in our community. Here is an excerpt from a recent email:

Exchange Club of Sebastian, prevention of child abuse, Blue water open Charity fishing tournament — Look for our signs

The Child Abuse Prevention signs for the month of April are being installed in 6 locations in the county. The signs are the blue ribbons. The sign locations:

US 1 South directly across from Grove Isle
58^thAvenue and College – by Ruby Tuesday’s
County Road 512 east near US 1
822 US 1 Sebastian – Just north of Speedway Gas Station – station is just north of Riverview Park
County Road 512 at the split going west just before flag pole
1013 US 1 Sebastian – Dale Sorensen Real Estate Office

In addition, District Exchange received a Proclamation from the IRC Commission on Tuesday, April 7 in recognition of our Prevention of Child Abuse efforts in the month of April

Residents of Pelican Landings Assist Living facility enjoyed the critters from LaPorte Farms.

From Sebastian Police Department: SPD continues to attend and contribute to drive-by birthday parties for area youth.

A big thank you to David Jamar for providing Jersey Mike’s subs to the Agency today. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our community!

Meetings have been cancelled and school will be closed for the remainder of this school year. Here are the accomplishments these students have completed this year:

Americanism – 4 patches
- Proper Flag Etiquette in November
- Letters to Military in December
- National Law Enforcement Appreciation in January
- National Black History Month in February
Community Service – 5 patches
- Fall harvest supply drive in October
- Grace Rehab visit in October
- Dress Down Day in November
- Food Drive in December
- National Black History Month in February
Youth Programs
- Flier distribution to home rooms in September
Prevention of Child Abuse – 2 patches
- Distribution of Flyers to home rooms in September
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county (Flyers distributed on Parent Square) in April
National Day of Service – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county in April

Excel Club of Sebastian River High School

Meetings have been canceled and school will be closed for the remainder of this school year. Here are the accomplishments these students have completed during their Charter year:

Americanism – 1 patch
- Letters to Veterans in November
Youth Programs – 3 patches
- Grand Cay K-12 in September
- Teens for Jeans In February
- Presentation to SCJHS Jr Excel Club Members in March
Community Service – 3 patches
- Grand Cay K-12 in September
- Teens for Jeans in February
- Presentation to SCJHS Jr Excel Club Members in March
Prevention of Child Abuse – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county (Flyers distributed on Parent Square) in April
National Day of Service – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county in April

Congratulations to the members and advisors of both of these clubs! As this school year closes we wish you all the best in your future endeavors! We all look forward to the 2020-2021 year’s club growth and achievements.

Our American Flag – Did You Know?

If it touches the ground and is not soiled it does not need to be disposed of
It can be washed or dry cleaned
The proper way to dispose of it is to deliver to the American Legion or VFW for proper burning and burial
It must be illuminated at night
There are 13 folds in the triangle. The triangle represents the hat that the patriots wore during the revolutionary war
The 21-gun salute was originated as the ships welcome to vessels coming into the harbor (8-6-7)
While a prisoner on an English ship Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner
The flag never fell fully to the ground but was held at a 45-degree angle by bodies of patriots who had died
The English gave up the war when they could not the flag fall to the ground

Calendar of Events

Due to the Covid19 threat future meeting events will be held on Zoom. Meeting Number 798 8255 9423 Pass Code 4S9EGT. We will keep you updated as to when regular scheduling will resume.

May

05/06 – No Meeting (Board Only)

05/13 – Michele Morris, SPD Chief

05/20 – TBD

05/27 – TBD