Sow Your Wild Oaks

Love for the Pink Lady

2009-11-20T13:36:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful celebration of life for Jeannie Poulos - Brevard's own "Pink Lady" today. What a wonderful reminder for all of us of the importance of being ourselves and of living life to the fullest and loving as deeply as we possibly can. God bless all of the Pouloses for sharing the wonderful stories with us and for reminding us what is really important in life.

XXXOOO
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Jeannie "Pink Lady" Poulos - Melbourne Beach - Jeannie Poulos, affectionately known as "The Pink Lady", journeyed down the path to Heaven on Thursday, November 12, 2009 surrounded by the love of her family. All who knew her loved her. Her life started in Toledo, Ohio on March 10, 1919. After marrying Peter J. Poulos she started a life in Chicago, Illinois. Raising her "Magnificent 5" was the biggest joy of her life. After moving to Melbourne Beach in 1956, Jeannie soon found herself entertaining with Gary Schroeder, her companion of 30 years, at many popular establishments such as The Kismet, The Tradewinds, Bali Hai, Sea Dunes and The Pines. Wearing her flashing earrings and a smile on her face she greeted guests, shook her maracas and even played matchmaker resulting in five happy marriages. One of Jeannie's favorite hobbies was fishing in the Florida Keys. She loved staying at The Sunset Inn, bonefishing and visiting her friends at Bob's Bait and Tackle and Worldwide Sportsman. On her first bonefishing outing she caught a 9 pound bonefish on a pink jig. Growing Perfume Delight roses and sharing them with everyone she loved was her signature. Giving meant much more to her than receiving. The Pink Lady was blessed with five adoring children; Jim (Jean), Thanos (Cathy), Lou (Vera), Cynthia (Jeff), and Stacey. Her grandchildren; Jamie (Terri), Jenny (Michael) and Claudia meant the world to her along with her great-grandchildren; Michael, Abigail, Ryan and Joshua. Each and everyone of the many friends she acquired over the years became family to her and she cherished each one. In honor of her life, a "pink" celebration will be held at the Paradise Beach pavilion at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009. Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to http://www.lousgreenhouse.info/ or Junior League of Central and North Brevard, Lou's Greenhouse, 240 Parnell Street, Merritt Island, Florida 32953.

Help Us Sow Some Wild OAKS

2009-10-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

O.A.K.s (Ordinary Acts of Kindness) are becoming so rare, that they seem to be in danger of extinction. It is our hope to slow this extinction by doing our part to propagate the species.

We recently lost two special people that taught us much of what we know about Ordinary Acts of Kindness, Ruth Stabler and Lou Poulos.

In honor of Ruth and Lou, we encourage everyone to sow their own O.A.K.s (Ordinary Acts of Kindness). One way to start is by donating to Lou's Greenhouse - a project to provide a greenhouse and garden shed to be built at the Cygnet House, un upcoming foster home for children in need.

The Cygnet House Project

2009-10-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Junior League of Central & North Brevard (JLCNB) has elected to build Cygnet House a group foster care home. The JLCNB, seeks to enhance the life experience of children who have been placed into the state custody of the FL State, Department of Children and Families, District VII., because of abuse, neglect or abandonment by building Cygnet House Group Foster Care Home.

Presently, there are 300 children in foster care in Brevard County, sixteen of which are sibling groups of 2, four sibling groups of 3, and five sibling groups of 4 or more that are placed in separate placements. Most homes will not accept the older siblings therefore, they are placed in a separate location. Often times they are placed out of county which makes it even more difficult for sibling visitation. The JLCNB proposes to keep siblings together and Brevard County children in Brevard County.

Cygnet House will provide a healthy, consistent nurturing foster home for children ages 6 - 14 to heal, learn and grow while keeping them connected to their community, schools, friends and family. Key aspects of this project will be:
• To maintain sibling unity.
• To build a healthy, safe and sustainable home for children that are neglected, abused, and abandoned.
• A home where they can stay for as long as they need.
• To create a family atmosphere which embraces the children and will inspire them throughout their lives by developing programs and experiences that will educate and address all aspects of these children’s lives. Thereby, allow them to become strong, productive healthy members of society.

The JLCNB has acquire land in the Central Brevard area, through a donation of 3 acres, from The Viera Company. Cygnet House will be a “Green Build” 7000 sq. ft. and cost approximately $150.00 per square foot. We are convinced that by building Cygnet House “Green” it will create a healthy balanced environment inside and out for the children that reside there. Green or sustainable buildings are more energy efficient, have better indoor air quality and have a reduced overall impact on the environment. This healthier way of building will reduce exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals found in building materials and furnishings, which all have been proven to lead to respiratory illness in children causing allergies and asthma. The long term cost savings on energy, water, and maintenance has also made this a wise decision. The savings will be 30% to 50% more than that of a traditionally built home, the monies saved would be much better spent on the children and their needs.

The Brevard Branch of the Central Florida Chapter of the US Green Build Council has selected Cygnet House to be their "Legacy Project," this sponsorship is assisting us by providing a Team of Experts that are facilitating this project from the Conceptual Design, Construction, through LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification of this much needed home. Building a LEED Certified home is to create a new standard for a clean, healthy, sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly group home for displaced children. Cygnet House will be the first LEED Certified group foster care home in the U.S.

The JLCNB is now kicking off the $1,050,000.00 Nest Building Campaign. There are several different levels that individuals will be able to give towards the Cygnet House project. Several of the rooms have already been pledged by JLCNB members, and many in-kind donations have been made.

The Junior League of Central & North Brevard is a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit Corporation. We would happily accept your tax-deductible donation at any giving level. Contributions can be donated by a corporation or individual(s) by cash or check made out to JLCNB at:

JLCNB
ATTN: Cygnet House
240 Parnell St.
Merritt Island, Fl 32953

Please contact Linda Molica, Cygnet House Chairman for additional gift giving levels, additional information or questions at 321/453-5718.