Kids at heart, helping Brevard's kids! One of our area’s many service clubs is perhaps not as well known as the Rotary or Kiwanis, but is just as active in volunteerism to support community needs—and, we think, we have more fun doing it!   The Exchange Club of the South Brevard Beaches is the local chapter, founded in 1980, of a national service club whose national project is Child Abuse Prevention.  We have about 30 members, most of whom are business owners and professionals in their 30, 40s, and 50s, and all of whom are young at heart.  Our Friday breakfast meetings are a mixture of business—planning upcoming fundraisers and other events, honoring our Student of the Month, etc.—and lighthearted banter, laughter, and camaraderie.  As one member said, “This is the most fun you can have at 7:45 in the morning!”  As befits our mission, the Exchange Club supports a variety of charities and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for Brevard County’s children in need.  One aspect of our support is financial:  We raise well over $50,000 each year through fundraisers such as our annual reverse raffle and silent auction called the “Caribbean Cash Bash” (call 698-8872 to buy a ticket to this summer's event at the Hilton Indialantic), selling refreshments at the Melbourne Friday Fest, and collecting donations from members and others throughout the year.  We support worthy causes such as :          The Candlelighters of Brevard for the families of children with cancer; or  (http://www.candlelightersofbrevard.org), The Haven, a temporary emergency shelter for abused and neglected young children        Master's Workshop a religious based community after school facility supporting the Melbourne community.  (below)  Yellow Umbrella staff and volunteers dedicated to improving family life and reducing the scourge of child abuse and neglect through education, support services, and community awareness.  (http://www.yellowumbrella.org), Sometimes our support takes the form of hands-on building and repair, when we roll up our sleeves and  build playground equipment for My Refuge, a haven for children whose parents cannot care for them; or when we help rehabilitate an old building for use as classroom space for children by The Master’s Workshop.

Master's Workshop   The Master’s Workshop is a local non-profit corporation dedicated toward providing a safe, loving and caring environment for at-risk children.  The Master’s Workshop focuses on helping the children develop into whole individuals, using basic Biblical principles. The Master’s Workshop came about out of a recognized need to provide a place for children to come instead of roaming the neighborhood, unsupervised sometimes after dark.  The program reaches culturally diverse, at-risk youth (ages 3 to teens) in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area.  After school activities include homework help, tutoring, music, computer use, arts & crafts, and nutritional awareness.  A meal is served to the children each afternoon.    The Master’s Workshop is located at 2525 Lipscomb Street, Melbourne Florida USA.