Men at Arms and Vero Classical School Receive Dyer Difference Award

Men at Arms and Vero Classical School Receive Dyer Difference Award  
 
What began as a very ordinary day in 2013 changed countless lives in St. Lucie County after St. Lucie Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Gary Morales was shot during a routine traffic stop. In 2016, the Men at Arms Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (LEMC) was founded, and like the man whose memory the group was founded to honor, the mission of the group is to uphold the oath of service to the community And though the group started out supporting a variety of local charities through events and rides to support law enforcement, military, and public safety professionals as well as other community resources and programs, in 2023, LEMC refined its mission to focus specifically on the mental health and wellbeing of law enforcement officers, who face unique and often overwhelming stressors each and every workday.  
 
According to recent statistics, law enforcement suicides outnumber officer fatalities in the line of duty, with an alarming number of officers choosing to end their lives due to the mental and emotional strain of the job. Men at Arms LEMC believes that addressing the mental health crisis within law enforcement is crucial for the well-being of officers and the communities they serve but realizes that help needs to come from qualified clinicians who are familiar with the unique challenges of a law enforcement career. The Dyer Difference Award understands the dilemma faced by those who choose to serve and applauds the LEMC’s efforts to emphasize the importance of seeking mental health services through external and peer support programs which offer confidentiality, understanding, and professional expertise required to truly address the mental health struggles without the fear of judgment or career repercussions. 
 
Vero Classical School is all about preparing students to think deeply, read widely, speak eloquently, and write well, and along the way, cultivate wonder and wisdom through the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. And while that’s a pretty tall order, the faculty and staff at Vero Classical School relies on time-tested and, indeed, classical tools to foster a love of learning and provide a solid foundation for academic success. Currently, Vero Classical School serves 86 students from 57 families, supported by 15 teachers and staff. As the school continues to grow, the long-term goal is to serve 1,500 students in future years, further enriching our community through Christ-centered, classical education. In order to help reach those ambitious goals, Vero Classical School recently hosted its second annual Vero Classical School Clay Shoot, bringing together community members, families, and supporters to raise funds for Vero Classical School’s continued growth and mission and providing an engaging way for the community to connect while directly impacting the students and families the school serves. 
 
The Dyer Difference Award is all about celebrating the beauty and kindness in our midst. For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations made monthly between the St. Lucie and Indian River Counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions. If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.