The Importance of Giving
By Joe Steckler, President
Helping Seniors of Brevard County
I have lived in Brevard County since 1989. After retiring from 38 years in the Navy, I became involved in nonprofit work. Initially I worked with the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation, building three adult daycares (now called Joe’s Clubs) in Melbourne, Titusville, and Micco. In 2011, I founded Helping Seniors of Brevard.
Raising money for a nonprofit is a challenge. Helping Seniors relies on sponsorships, fundraisers, and small grants. I take no pay, and we have a small but competent staff and a minimal budget that we must meet to continue helping people.
You may ask, “Why give at all?” For most people it is the right thing to do. Many people place nonprofit giving in their budget, having selected a cause to support and the amount to give. Such people have made their decision and it is difficult to change their minds, though charities try to enlist their aid through mail and electronic solicitations.
Like other nonprofits, Helping Seniors maintains a database of donors that grows each year through good work and various fundraising efforts such as our car raffle. This year’s event, our 8th annual, will take place Sunday, October 27, from 1-4 PM at the American Muscle Car Museum. The winner will choose one car from the following 2024 basic models: Jeep Compass Sport, Dodge Hornet GT, Mazda3 Sedan S, Chevrolet Colorado WT Truck, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 S, or Kia Sportage LX.
Tickets are one for a $25 donation or five for a $100 donation, and can be obtained by calling 321-473-7770, online at HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org, or at any Boniface-Hiers dealership. Each ticket is your entry in the “Choose Your Adventure” Car Raffle, access to outdoor exhibits and the front showroom of the Museum (2 tickets required for the main showroom), plus complimentary refreshments while supplies last. You need not be present to win, but we hope you will join us for a fun family-friendly afternoon featuring one of the largest car collections in North America!
Your generosity also supports our new Senior Resource Center, located in the Apollo Professional Tower at 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. Suite 2-C in Melbourne. The Center hosts our Senior Helpline, Senior Housing Task Force, Volunteer Center, Media & Information Center, and ten senior friendly businesses.
The need for our services continues to grow—now in our 13th year of service, we took 5,450 calls on our Senior Helpline in 2023 (an all-time high) and reached thousands more through our free educational outreach programs:
- Weekly radio show Wednesdays at 12 PM on WEJF FM 90.3
- TV show on channel 499, Monday-Friday at 8 AM, 8:30 AM, and 5 PM
- Monthly information seminars
- Monthly newsletter and article in Senior Scene Magazine
- Articles inHometown News, Ebony News Today, Al Día Today, and The Barefoot Tattler
We help seniors and caregivers find resources that they need while providing a friendly voice over the phone. For your support, you get to see an amazing collection of beautiful muscle cars, enjoy a fun-filled Sunday afternoon, and have the chance to win a new car. Seems a fair offer to me AND we could use your support. I thank those of you who have already responded and look forward to new and repeat donors. It has been my pleasure to have such a memorable second career in helping people. Many thanks.
Contact Helping Seniors at 321-473-7770, at www.HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org, or at P.O. Box 372936, Satellite Beach, FL 32937.
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