Guest Speaker Series
On August 18th our guest speaker were Dr. Sandy Munoz Executive Director and Suzan Santosis Chief Operating Officer of The Children’s Healing Institute (CHI).
Dr. Munoz opened her presentation with a compelling video with the story of a young woman who had overcome serious family adversity to continue her education through college and become a mechanical engineer.
The Children’s Healing Institute mission is “to prevent child abuse by strengthening families facing crisis, challenge, and change.” CHI is an accredited National Exchange Club CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) center in operation for 34 years. Programs include Parent Aide, Teacup Preemie Baby, and First Play. The newest initiative is Youth Mentoring. Each program is customized to the family.
Parent Aide Program helps families create a more nurturing home and healthier relationships. Home visits are weekly with volunteers who have special skill sets for children ages 12 months – 17 years.
The Teacup Preemie Baby Program helps parents cope with the challenge of preemie parenthood from the hospital care unit through the transition home.
The First Play Program helps parents bond with their babies through storytelling and touch.
Referrals come from Children & Family Services, non-profits and some clients are self-referred. There is a waiting list. There is no state funding. Income comes from a small United Way grant and private funding. CHI now serves Palm Beach County with plans to expand to both the north and south.
The CHI vision is a community where children are loved un-conditionally and parents feel supported and empowered.
****************************************************************
On August 25th our guest speakers were Tom Lange, Director and Suzanne Vonn, Assistant Director of Sebastian River Rowing (SRR), a 501(c)3 organization. This club began 16 years ago and has grown to include the SRHS program, Middle School program of 5th – 8th grade students as well as the Under 15 program for those students who desire a more competitive option. There are currently 60 students in the program, 35 of which attend SRHS. Practices and meets are held on the C54 in Fellsmere. The program’s core principals expected of students both on and off the water are:
- Respect for each other and the equipment
- Community Involvement and volunteering
- Good citizenship
- Cooperation and compliance with FL Scholastic and US Rowing Associations regulations
- Value and availability of future opportunities
A local scholarship fund has been established that is need based and available to all youth regardless of their financial situation. Many generous business and individuals have contributed to this and other needs of the club. Donations help with the costs of dues, uniforms, equipment and transportation needs.
The SRHS Rowing Club has won 12 state championships and qualified to compete and attend the national championships for 14 years. Over $1 million in scholarships have been awarded to alumni SRR athletes who have chosen to compete at higher levels. Many came from lower income households who would not have seen opportunity to pursue higher level education had they not joined Sebastian River Rowing.
Opportunities for support include a general fund, equipment fund, scholarship fund or even individual athlete sponsorships. For more information contact SebastianCrew.org.
******************************************************************************
3rd Qtr. Visitors – Please Come Again!
07/14 – Debbie Butler & Rowan Warren, GFNF (Karen McElveen)
07/14 – Larry Sanford, Ex. Dir., ASC Foundation (Lane Solomon)
07/14 – Emily Caron (Susan Baran)
07/14 – Pastor Joey Everington, Calvary Chapel (Susan Baran)
07/14 – Steve Baran (Susan Baran)
07/21 – Captain Tony Consalo IRC Sheriff (Eric Flowers)
07/28 – Francois Pelletier, Highlands Roofing (Ali Qizilbash)
07/28 – Mike, Lacy, Gavin & Addie Carter (Eva Chapman)
08/25 – Francis Papineau, Performance Consultant Adam Preuss)
08/25 – Francois Pelletier (Ali Qizilbash – membership appl.)
**************************************************************************
Community Giving
On August 18th we presented Phil Barnes, Executive Director of Youth Guidance with a check in the amount of $5,000. In accepting Phil said that Youth Guidance has been in existence for almost 50 years. This will assist with the mentoring programs costs. He said, “from the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone.”
Calendar of Events
Zoom meetings have been discontinued – in person luncheons only!
September
09/01 – No Meeting (Board Only)
09/08 – Laura Luettger, Boys & Girls Club
Birthday Cake
09/15 – Students
09/22 – Bonnie Martinelli, CareNet
This and That
Please contact Ali Qizilbash or Kimball Stadler with ideas for future speakers. Suggestions are appreciated!
Eva Chapman needs to know of any volunteer work a member has done outside of Exchange Club. This counts toward credit we get from national toward year end awards. Please use her log or send her the name of the organization and number of hours you spent volunteering.
Eva Chapman reminds us that there are still volunteer opportunities for helping the kids fish and serving food at our Junior Blue Water Open on October 30th. Please contact Terry Gardner to sign up.
Phil Barns has openings for the Youth Guidance Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Classes begin September 7th, 2021. This free program offers qualified applicants ages 16-24 who meet the Indian River County and Free lunch poverty guidelines the opportunity to gain the skills needed to start a career in welding, carpentry, HVAC, electrical or plumbing. For more information contact Phil at 772-492-3933.
Terry Gardner is chairing the Community Involvement Committee. Karen McElveen will serve with her. They encourage members to give them ideas.
Lyse McDonough spearheaded our Hygiene Drive, the Feel-Good Campaign which is to encourage kids to smell, feel and look good and want to show up for school. We collected numerous hygiene products and $220 that will be donated to Chum Bucket at SRHS and to the One Can You Can Program lead by Pastor Joey Everington, Youth Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Sebastian. Thanks to all members who contributed and made this another successful event!
Police Sergeant Todd Finnegan served snow cones to the crowd. Members Donald Hart and Michelle Morris helped with the Hart & Soul table. We handed out approximately two dozen applications for membership to interested parents and students. Dr. Dodds was very appreciative of our support. We will hold our first club meeting on September 8th. Anyone wishing to assist with these meetings should contact Margie or Kathy Burns.
Margie Duffell reports that a Junior Excel Club table was on display at Sebastian Charter Junior High School during orientation for the 2021-2022 school year. Club
volunteers Eva Chapman, Kathy Burns and Sean Facey helped man this booth on Tuesday August 3rd from 4-8:00 p.m. and Sebastian.
Margie Duffell & Eva Chapman
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
A membership drive will be held, and a club meeting schedule will be established after the new school year begins. Club Advisor Jaime Sturgeon is very supportive in our efforts and is enthusiastic about having members get underway with activities which support the ideals of Exchange.
A member recruitment effort was held on August 3rd during student orientation. The first club meeting is scheduled for Wednesday September 8th immediately after school at 2:45 p.m. A presentation to perspective members is planned with election of club officers to follow.
As this new school year begins we wish you all the best in your clubs’ accomplishments! We all look forward to the 2021-2022 year’s clubs’ growth and achievements.
September Birthdays
Randy Tremblay 09/02
September Anniversaries
Fred Jones 1 Year
Eva Chapman 3 Years
Marilyn Waldis 35 Years
COVID-19 Attendance Guidelines
Our New Guidelines Effective August 1, 2021:
These guidelines shall apply to all members and guests that attend our Club meetings in person in the Tiffany Room at Capt. Hiram’s restaurant:
- There shall be no more than 6 people at each table.
- Facemasks are optional.
- If any member/guest has tested positive for COVID-19, has experienced symptoms of COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, he/she shall not attend any meetings in person until they become symptom-free or test negative. Additionally, he/she shall notify the Club President of their condition, so that we can determine if any other members/guests may have been exposed.
District Director Rene’s Corner
Indian River Club: The 5th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament will be held on October 16 at Walking Tree Brewery. Sponsorship and team applications are available now. Our website is exchangeclubofindianriver.org/about-toca/how-to-sponsor/.
We are on our way to a record year with our presenting sponsor being Dale Sorensen Real Estate. There will be raffle items as well as a 50/50 on the day of the tournament. We’d love to see some of our Sebastian friends there. Last year a total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your continued successes!
Fellsmere Club: The 2021 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo was held Friday, March 19th through Sunday March 21st, 2021. This was a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and funds raised support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County. Roughly $55,000 has been distributed to eight beneficiary organizations. Fellsmere Club members express gratitude to all that supported the event by volunteering, sponsoring or just attending!
South Brevard County Club: Club members have recently packed and distributed another 25 Blue Bags with children’s items for donation to the Melbourne Police. These bags are for use when police are working with children in stressful situations.
The One Nation Under God Pancake Breakfast will be held on November 13, 2021. A car show is planned for the future – location and date to be determined. The Jr Fishing Tournament is planned for next spring, probably in late April.
Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
Labor Day 2021 will occur on Monday, September 6. Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, street parades and athletic events.
Margie Duffell
