SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Features Dedicated Army of Volunteers

By  //  August 18, 2019

Veterans Memorial Center volunteers help a staff of only two part-time employees

The army of Brevard Veterans Memorial Center volunteers have grown to almost 100 individuals who work at the museum, library, store, vet support activities and management and maintenance of the Center and the adjoining 82-acre Veterans Memorial Park.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In 1979, a small group of World War II veterans met to pay the final respects to a fellow soldier who would otherwise have been buried alone in a pauper’s funeral.

They saw the need for an organization that would both help and honor individuals who had served their country in the military.

From that meeting grew Veterans Memorial Park and the Veterans Memorial Center, which included a museum covering United States military history.

Since 1990, the Merritt Island complex has also included a Disabled American Veterans office to provide vets and their families with free government assistance with benefits and services earned through military service.

Thanks to funds from the State of Florida, the Veterans Memorial Center in 2016 opened an expanded facility to better serve veterans.

After the expansion, the number of volunteers has grown to almost 100 individuals who work at the museum, library, store, vet support activities and management and maintenance of the Center and the adjoining 82-acre Veterans Memorial Park.

The oldest is an 88-year-old veteran of the Korean War, while the youngest is a 17-year-old high school junior who volunteers on weekends. Since its inception, admission to the Veterans Memorial Center has been free, thanks to the volunteers who help a staff of only two part-time employees.

The army of Brevard Veterans Memorial Center volunteers have grown to almost 100 individuals who work at the museum, library, store, vet support activities and management and maintenance of the Center and the adjoining 82-acre Veterans Memorial Park.

“With an average of nearly 2,000 visitors per month, our volunteers make sure individuals, student groups or senior center guests all get the most out of their time in the museum and library,” said museum collections manager and Navy veteran Becky Zingarelli.

The DAV Chapter 123, located at the Memorial Center, works five days a week assisting veterans in need. The group developed a comprehensive VA benefit and information booklet that provides veterans and families with information on their entitled benefits.

Since 1995, the Veterans Memorial Center has supported an annual Stand Down to help homeless and struggling vets. The Memorial Center is also the meeting place for several local veterans’ organizations.

They are not charged a fee for facility use so they can funnel those funds for veterans and other community support service.

Each year, the Memorial Center awards scholarships to college-bound or continuing college students in Brevard. When the core of volunteers needs help with bigger events, the community gladly steps in.

“Our volunteers do most of the upkeep and maintenance, but we seek other volunteers to help with big clean-up projects,” said Brevard Veterans Council chairman Donn Weaver, Army veteran, Gold Star father and vice president at the Veterans Memorial Center.

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CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

2019 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS SET NOV. 7

The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. 

The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created nine years ago by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.

The 2018 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.

TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.

TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fundraising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.

All 2018 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2018 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and on SpaceCoastDaily.com.  The magazine will be available the first week of October in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com

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ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:

• Jessica Andre
• Leonard Beam
• Harry Brandon, in Memoriam
• Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Pet Posse
• Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Volunteers
• Bridges Foundation
• Michael Bross, A Step Up
• Keri Anne Demott Foundation
• Lori Duester and Liz Mikitarian, Youth Mental Health Task Force
• Florida Wildlife Hospital & Sanctuary
• Christine Lance
• Rev. Lorenzo Laws
• Larry McNamara, Giant Recreation World
• Dr. David Neely
• Neighbors of Suntree
• Ashley Nolan
• Mark Pieloch, Founder of the Muscle Car Museum
• Dr. Mark Pinsky
• Joe Rodriguez, McDonald’s Restaurants of Brevard County
• Susan Slaton
• Stephen Thaggard, Embrace Home Loans
• The Avenue Viera
• Barbie Thrower, Community Treatment Center
• Valiant Air Command Volunteers
• Mac McLouth, 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree

Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM

As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Palm Bay Hospital, Melbourne Regional Medical Center, Rockledge Regional Medical Center, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center. 

Dr. Jim Palermo

“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Space Coast Daily Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.

JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Total Home Roofing, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Paper Simple, Embrace Home Loans, Adventure HQ, Florida Pain Institute, CFP Care Team, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2018 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

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CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS