Light the Lantern provides basic items for children in need SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE During this festive time of year, many people are focused on extra things in life. Unfortunately, many children and teens in Brevard County will go without the most basic necessities. Things such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, socks and feminine hygiene supplies are products that homeless and low-income families simply cannot afford. The heart-breaking results can be low self-esteem, embarrassment and shame often leading to isolation and feelings of hopelessness. To help alleviate this issue, Brevard Schools Foundation (BSF), along with The Viera Company
and other community partners, will co-host the third annual Light the Lantern from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at the school board building located at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera. The community is asked to rally around this cause and bring donations of hygiene and personal products to this drive-through event. Participants will be treated to a luminary trail adorned with special holiday sparkle as they pull up to the drop-off location. Suggested items are new packages of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, body wash and socks. Monetary donations also will be accepted.
Dec. 2 - 4, 9 - 11, 16 - 18
All donated items will be distributed to homeless and low-income students through the Supply Zone for Teachers, a service of the Brevard Schools Foundation. The Supply Zone for Teachers, located in Cocoa, serves the highest poverty schools in Brevard County. “Far too often, teachers tell me about students who will stay home because their clothes are dirty and they can’t afford deodorant or toothpaste,” said Pam
Lyons, the Supply Zone program coordinator. “These kids are so afraid of being teased about how they smell, they’d rather miss school than face their classmates. I even had one teacher tell me about a student who was so excited to receive her very own toothbrush; apparently, she’d been sharing one toothbrush with all her brothers because her family couldn’t afford to buy more. “Hearing that a student
was so thrilled about a toothbrush — something most of us take for granted — really brings into focus the struggles these kids face. That’s why I’m beyond grateful to The Viera Company and our community partners for supporting this event,” Lyons added. The Viera Company will supply hundreds of luminaries that will be used to create the lighted path. Other businesses and organizations supplying assistance to this event are The Viera Community Institute and iHeart Media. For more information on Light the Lantern or how to donate hygiene and personal products, contact Joan Perry at Perry.Joan@ BrevardSchools.org or 321633-1000, ext. 11430. V V
Holiday Events
heading South to 1st Street south on S. Orlando Ave. (A1A). Triangle Park, 2 S. Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach, 321-868-3200
Shell Harbor Retirement Community 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-265-6875
The Nutcracker Brevard Ballet Academy Dec. 10 • 6 p.m. Dec. 11 • 2 p.m. Eau Gallie Performing Arts Center visit1400 from Elizabeth. Music Blvd. includes Commodore Christmas carols and uplifting songs Melbourne to get you into the true Christmas 321-622-4713 spirit. Social distancing, limited
The Magic Christmas Toy Shop 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Imperial Dance Corps of Dussich Dance Studio presents an Evening of Dance. Merritt Island Moose Lodge
7:30 a.m. Run Run Santa 1 Mile is an all-Santa vieravoice.com event. This race features a festive one mile course. Call to register. Calvary Chapel Viera, 321-636-7696
Christmas Tour of Historic Homes 10 a.m. Museums of Brevard’s third food, family fun, kid pet friendly. cookies, jams,on apple butter and Christmas Party forand Persons Christmas the Parkway 3-5 annualDECEMBER Holiday Tour of Historic Dec. 5, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. vegan offerings. Sales conducted South 36th with Disabilities 6 - 9 p.m. Homes.Junior The League tours of are frinBrevard’s 10 Dec. 6,p.m. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. outside in a drive thru. annual Festival of Trees Noon 3 East CoastOrthodox Christian Center a.m. and 2 year’s p.m. Appointments Historic Cocoa Village, 1 Oleander St. Anthony Christian Church This event, trees will be VFW Post 4228 680 N. Courtenay Parkway Cocoa, 321-631-9075 4031 Aurora Road, Melbourne seating, must RSVP. required. showcased within business 4411 Capron Road Golf 305-812-4940 TWCAnnual Sanctuary, 638Cart S. Patrick Dr. Merritt Island, 321-452-1060 The historical Homes: storefronts in the Eau Gallie Arts Light Up Rockledge/Festival of Trees Satellite Beach, 321-777-2047 Titusville, 321-614-8233 Christmas Parade District. The online auction The Moore Cultural Center & will start Brevard Symphony Orchestra 6 p.m. Dec. of10 Dec.Pritchard 3 and end House, on Dec. 5.Cape Sounds the Season Museum, 6:30 p.m. DECEMBER 17 Enjoy 227th p.m. annual Reindeer Run https://brevardcounty.jl.org/festivalDec. 4 festive tunes while strolling Canaveral Lighthouse, Sams Golf Cart Decorating Contest Kris Kringle Market through a decorated tree A Santa Paws for the Cause House, of-trees/ Field Manor, Lawndale 8 special a.m. concert featuring full Dec. 17 to Dec. 20 starts at 5 p.m. display. Auction proceeds go to a guest narrator, and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Raising Grandchildren. orchestra, Dec.Walk-Ons, 17, 11 a.m. -8550 6 p.m.Napolo Dr. 1895 House Museum, Historic Proceeds benefit the North Grandparents many familiar favorites, including DECEMBER 4 Bring your children Dec. 18, Noon 8 p.m. Rossetter House Museum & Free, just pet bringand a canned food for item. Beaches Police Athletic Sleigh Ride, selections fromLeague The 321-610-7011 Space CoastGables Lightfest Stroll Weekend photos Dec.Viera, 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. with Civic Santa. Rockledge Hub Gardens, Green Nutcracker, and White Christmas. Youth Directors Council Program. Dec. 4 to 7 , 6:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Myrt Tharpe Square (Gazebo) 530 Barton Blvd. 321- 848-0365 Special musical performance of Dec. 16 Walk thru, all other nights are drive 9 Stone Cherie Down Park, 321-751-8890 Free admission Rockledge, Street321-221-7540, ext 112. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. thru. Melbourne Auditorium Holiday Bike Parade Cocoa Village Music Director Christopher Dec. 2Wickham Park, 2785 Leisure Way 625 E. Hibiscus Ave. Breakfast with Santa DECEMBER 6 5 p.m. Confessore will lead the orchestra. 321-305-4584 Christmas on the Boulevard Melbourne, 321-608-7420 Black Willow Ranch Christmas Festival 9 - 10 a.m. Caroling at the Avenue Viera King Center Entry is free with a canned or 6 - 9 p.m. Christmas photo props, craft stations Take Dec. 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24Pictures 3865 N. Wickham Rd, Santa. Melbourne pictures with with Santa non-perishable18 food donation DECEMBER for kids, hot chocolate bar, local East Coast 6 andChristian 7 p.m. Center BrevardSymphony.com, 321-345-5052 Rockledge Country Club 2 5 p.m. Holiday Bicycle Parade benefiting the Children’s Hunger vendors, BBQ and bounce house. The Avenue, 3474 Viera Blvd. 2261 Town Center Ave. For event details see page 28 Jess Parrish Medical Foundation 1591 S. Fiske Blvd. Green Gables Project. Decorate bicycles with 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Viera, 321-634-5390 Viera, 321-452-1060 Gala To Go 321-616-6074 Rockledge, 2350 Black Willow Trail, Mims brightly colored lights, garlands 1501 South Harbor City Blvd. Holiday Tree Lighting DECEMBER 19decorations. 4 - 7 p.m. 321-684-9402 orDays other holiday Melbourne, 321-794-8901 5 - 8 p.m. Holiday Marketplace Snow on the Space Coast Take a magical drive amidst holiday Dec. 3Eauand Gallie4Square, 450 Highland Ave. 2020 Space Coast Toy Run Dec.Cocoa 19 - 20,Riverfront 5 - 10 p.m. Park lights and sing along with carolers. 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Art & Craft Holiday Bazaar 15th annual Sing-Along Design your own experience — 9 a.m. - 3:30Messiah p.m. Melbourne, 321-622-4223 401ofRiveredge Blvd.slides and snow with snow Proceeds benefit FFC Summer 26 tons 3 p.m. Starts at Azan Shrine Center 9 a.m. 10 a.m.Holiday - 4 p.m. play areas. Train ride, light displays, selection of entrées, desserts, Cocoa, 321-631-9075 in the City, Cape Canaveral Camp Scholarships. $15 entry fee or new unwrapped toy Space Coast Symphony hayrides and more. Proceeds benefit appetizer and wine. Historic6 -Cocoa 10 p.m.Village AZAN Shriners Center Faith Fellowship Church Hope for North Brevard. Eastminster Presbyterian Church Christmas Movie in the Field La Cita Country Club Taylor and Poinsetta Avenues 434 Delannoy Ave. 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne Sand Point Park, Titusville 777 Country Club Dr. 106 N. Riverside Drive 6 p.m. 2820 Business Center Blvd. Canaveral, 321-868-1226 Cocoa, Cape 321-631-9075 321-259-5302 321-863-6357 Titusville, 321-269-4066 Indialantic, 855-252-7276 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Viera, 321-259-7200 December 5 12thEau annual FamilyFirst Christmas Wholeness to Freedom Gallie Baptist Church DECEMBER 11 Holly Jolly Christmas Trail Extravaganza Dec. 7 Holiday Marketplace, outdoor event 10th annual A Star is Born 13th annual Central Florida’s Fundraising Event 1501 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. 5 p.m. 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Vendors, artisans and crafters. Grinch-mas at PGG Messiah Sing-Along Noon -by3 the p.m. Hosted Kiwanis Club 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. FreeMelbourne food, live entertainment, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 7 p.m. p.m. 6 8 Titus Landing, Titusville Live nativity scene. Giving Tuesday food Church donations 321-254-2339 giveaways, train rides, and more. Faith Fellowship Drive-in concert by the Space Coast 321-403-2415 Meet the Grinch, make a reindeer Fred Poppe Regional Park Celebration Tabernacle Church welcome. 2820 Business Center Blvd. Symphony Orchestra Dec. 18Road NE craft or have your face painted. 1951 Malabar Suntree, 321-259-7200 1314 Dixon Blvd. The Avenue, 2261 Town Center Ave. Wholeness to Freedom Ministries DECEMBER 13 Music Festival and PalmChanukah Bay, 321-952-3443 Gallery, The Avenue Viera, 321-634-5390 Cocoa, 321-210-4666 Central Florida 1619 Ferndale Ave.Winds Outdoor ConcertPizza Glozzy Jolly Drive for Christmas Toys Car Menorah Parade Viera, 321-633-0397 • Port St. John Christmas Parade 4 p.m.321-425-5494 Melbourne, 2 - 6 p.m. 4 p.m. DECEMBER 12 • Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade The musicians and Maestro Sabino Cocoa Beach Parade Proceeds/toys goBoat to Family Promise Chabad • Satellite BeachViera Holiday Parade have missed playing for their Dec. 9 Cape Canaveral Reindeer Run 5K Cocoa Beach Christmas Parade 6 p.m. of Brevard. For event details see page 28 patrons. Join them for a “socially Cherie Down Park 7350 Lake Andrew Drive Holiday Fashion Show 2 p.m. The Paper Clinic, 7341Park Office Park Place Near Centennial distant” holiday concert on the front Cape Canaveral, 321-241-4520 Viera, Run Viera, Run Santa 1 Mile, Viera 321-777-2770 2 p.m. Cocoa321-261-0418 Beach Parade starts at Triangle Park lawn of the church. Skydiving Santas Suntree United Methodist Church a.m. - 3 p.m. Voice | December 10 2022 7400 N.Viera Wickham Rd., Suntree Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. 321-405-2359 321-783-7549 • Cocoa Beach Christmas Boat Parade • Merritt Island Holiday Parade
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