Community Giving
On September 8th we presented Police Chief Dan Acosta of the Sebastian Police Department with a check for $3,300 to benefit the COPE (Community Outreach Policing Effort). We are a major sponsor of the upcoming golf tournament fund-raising event on October 23rd. The money will be specifically used to purchase new bicycles for the unit. In accepting the award Chief Acosta acknowledged that we are the biggest contributor. He also thanked officer Donald Hart and Sergeant Todd Finnegan for their efforts and expressed his appreciation for our contributions and support.
Guest Speaker Series
On September 22nd our guest speaker was Bonnie Martinelli, Executive Director of CARENET Pregnancy Center of Indian River County (formerly the Vero Beach Pregnancy Crisis Center). This organization has been operating since 1984 (with the name change in 2000) serving women, families and students in our community. CARENET employees offer compassion, hope and help to those in need through a Christ centered ministry. Seventy-three percent of clients are unmarried women. Clients are served from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. The center offers free pregnancy testing and options, free ultrasound and prenatal care, adoption and abortion educational information, and parenting classes.
There are approximately 2800 abortions per day in the United States. Abortion is a product of guilt, fear and shame. Ms. Martinelli said that 84% of clients choose life after counseling and 97% of mother and dad clients choose life after seeing the ultrasound. For the 2021 Fiscal year CARENET served 1671 clients (an average of 40 per day!). The focus is on prevention, intervention and restoration.
CARENET relies on all private donations as there is no government funding. There are several events to raise funds:
- The Baby Bottle Campaign
- VIP Meet & Greet with Governor Mike Huckabee in October 2021
- A Family Fun Day in November 2021
- The Annual Walk for Life in March 2022 CARENET is located at 1503 24th Street in Vero Beach. For more information contact www.carenetirc.org or 772-569-7939.
On September 29th our guest speaker was Judge Michael Linn, Circuit 19 Judge. Judge Linn grew up in Pensacola, Fl, attend University of Florida and has served as Assistant State Attorney for 13 years, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases statewide. Judge Linn has served locally for three years after being appointed by Governor Scott. Here he presides over diverse assignments including dependency, delinquency, guardian and child abuse cases.
Many cases are referred by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). These families need help with substance abuse, mental health or domestic violence issues. Many times shelter placement for the children is made through foster care or is made with a relative of the biological parent. Guardian Ad Litem volunteers work with attorneys on behalf of the children. A trial his held within a month after the children are placed in shelter where the DCFS must prove abuse or substantial risk. The judge relies on studies of the home environment and findings from what the lawyers advocate to prepare for a case or can request more information in order to make a decision. The cases may be referred to the District Court of Appeals if parties disagree with the decision.
Sometimes a plan is put in place to have the children returned to the family. Parents must attend counseling classes. Protection of parental rights must be preserved, but If they do not participate a petition for termination of parental rights is received and the adoption process begins.
The Covid Virus has caused most cases to be held remote via ZOOM, which provides more access to the court room. But because of Covid there is currently a shortage of facilities for treatment which prevents cases from being implemented quickly. Judge Linn says that the legalization of marijuana has minimized drug cases, which will prove out over time. In closing he said, “If you see anything unusual you need to report it to the DCFS hotline 800-962-2873.”
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On Saturday September 11th several of our members attended the Nana’s House fund raising event Taste from Around the World of which our club was a major sponsor. Nana’s House foster families care for the neglected, abused, needy, and abandoned children in our state foster system. Through the newest partnership with One More Child, Nana’s House will be able to reach out to foster families outside of the gated community, and become involved with One More Child’s other programs such as the single moms program and the safe homes for sex traffic rescues, etc.
Attending the event were Back L-R: Alycia Zalewski, Phil Barnes, Eva Chapman. Diana Best and Karen McElveen.&nbs
Front L-R: Kathy Burns, Michelle Rhodeback and Johnathan Rhodeback
Calendar of Events
Zoom meetings have been discontinued – in person luncheons only!
October
10/06 – No Meeting (Board Only)
10/13 – TBD
Birthday Cake
10/14 – SPD Community Night Out
10/20 – Students
10/23 – SPD COPE Unit Golf Tournament
10/27 – TBD
10/30 – Junior Blue Water Open
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.
Phil Barnes reminded 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.
Terry Gardner is chairing the Community Involvement Committee. Karen McElveen will serve with her. They encourage members to give them ideas.
Terry Gardner and Diana Best announced upcoming events: We are sponsors of the 10/16 Clay Shoot to support the Veterans’ Council of Indian River County. There are two available slots for skeet shooting. Contact Diana for details. Community Night Out at Riverview Park where our club will have a table from 5-7 p.m. Volunteers are needed to man the table with Karen and Eva. ON 10/23 our club will have an information table at the SPD COPE Golf Tournament. Volunteers are also needed to man that table with Diana.
Johnathan Rhodeback and Fred Jones attended a collaborative meeting with the other Indian River County Clubs. We are sponsors of a 5K Run on 10/02 to benefit the Substance Abuse Awareness Council. Contact Johnathan if interested in more details on this event.
Kathy Burns and Margie Duffell are working with both Sebastian Charter Junior High School and Sebastian River High School to rebuild their Excel Club programs. Club meetings are held once a month immediately after school at each school. Volunteers to assist with these meetings are needed! For more information please contact Kathy or Margie.
Phil Barnes announced that the Youth Guidance Tropical Luau will be held on Friday October 8th. Our club is a major sponsor. Reservations have been filled, but if you would like to attend contact Phil to RSVP in case there are cancellations.
Welcome New Members
On September 15th we installed our newest member, Francois Pelletier, owner of Highland Homes. Please make an effort to introduce yourself to “Frenchie” and welcome him to our club.
October Birthdays
Phil Barnes 10/08
Jeff Slade 10/10
Frenchie Pelletier 10/16
Sean Facey 10/17
Margie Duffell 10/18
Jeff Kagan 10/20
Kathy Burns 10/26
October Anniversaries
John Rooney 8 Years
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
A membership drive was held on September 9th during the school’s club rush event. A club meeting schedule will soon be established. Club Advisor Jaime Sturgeon is very supportive of our efforts and is enthusiastic about having members get underway with activities which support the ideals of Exchange. Volunteers are needed to assist with these meetings.
A member recruitment effort was held on August 3rd during student orientation. The first club meeting was held on Wednesday September 8th immediately after school at 2:45 p.m. Kathy Burns and Margie Duffell gave a presentation to perspective members explaining the purpose of our clubs. An election of club officers will follow on Wednesday October 13th. Volunteers are needed to attend future meetings and assist with helping the students achieve activities which represent the four pillars of Exchange. Any member wishing to assist should contact Margie Duffell or Kathy Burns.
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.
| This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY |
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.)
09/08 – Mark Renihan, Step Up America (Lane Solomon)
09/08 – Adam Olgilvie, ORC Services (Diana Best)
09/15 – Marybeth Verde (former member – Karen McElveen)
09/22 – Amanda Hackford, PsyD. (Lyse McDonough)
09/22 – Mark Renehan, Step Up America (Lane Solomon)
District Director Rene’s Corner
Indian River Club: The 5th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament will be held on October 16th 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 roughly $55,000 was raised support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County.
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.
Margie Duffell
