Our 2019 Community Improvement Project is based out of Vero Beach Elementary School on Fridays from 11am to 1pm. We are going into our 4th year of being awarded between $8,000 – $10,000 dollars through the Impact Grant to fund the Positive Behavior Store, a.k.a. “The Elks Love Kids of Character Store,” with incentives, school supplies, and snacks for students who earn wampum in the classroom by improving behavior, good grades, or being polite. The School has gone from an F grade to a C+ in a few short years and the changes we have seen have been very positive due to our presence.
Debbie and Laurie McFadyen stock new items at the Positive Behavior Store
Student attendance is up, arguing is down, behavior has improved in the school and on the buses, students are more caring, and teachers are staying because of our program. I might write the grant but all the real success of this program is done behind the scenes in the classrooms through the teachers and support staff.
The Elks provide the means to be able to purchase the incentives but the local volunteers are the real role models for our children. They show them we care as a community by being there each Friday through out the year, and how to interact with adults in a store setting. They teach them math by showing them how to count the wampum they earn and how they can divide up their earnings at each of the tables. They praise the students for earning a large or a small quantity with hopes of encouraging them to earn more next time. I would like to thank all the volunteers for a job well done. You are amazing!
Michele Klager, Lisa Grandage and Karen Guidry display new uniforms for needy children
A special announcement was made last week, Principal Cynthia Emerson has awarded the title of, Volunteer of the Year” to Vero Beach Elk Member, Michele Klager, a ceremony will take place in April 2019.
The success of our program has brought some exciting additions to our lodge. Kards for Kids Texas Hold’em Tournament proceeds go to the Hibiscus House to fund a similar Positive Behavior Program for the rescued children and Paul and Pat Diaz made sure all 3rd graders in Indian River County received a new dictionary. These are all great projects and you can help just by volunteering.
PTA is stocking our school store with free books. Skate Factory is donating Skating Passes for the kids to earn. Dollar Tree has donated several large boxes of miscellaneous items to our cause. So, if we all work together we can really make a difference. Volunteering knits you into the community. Find a need and lend a hand. Your lodge needs you.
Michele Klager
Vero Beach Elks Impact Grant Manager
772-321-6704
