Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, named one of the top charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine, donated a record breaking $2.3 million to 14 Northwest Florida children’s charities last week. The private check presentation ceremony was held at LuLu’s Destin, marking the Foundation’s largest charitable distribution to date.
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the foundation has now donated more than $10 million to non-profit organizations to serve children in Northwest Florida. This year’s results are an increase over the $2.035 million raised last year.
“This is by far the best day of the entire year for all of us at Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation,” said John Russell, the foundation’s president. “We are forever grateful to our supporters who are helping to change the lives of so many children in our community.”
In addition to funding the 14 local charities, the foundation has realized a long-held dream to create a fund for future needs. The foundation’s Children’s Fund is cash held in a separate account available to any of the the foundation’s charities who have an emergency need.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s Board of Directors at the check presentation ceremony at Lulu’s in Destin.
“For the first time, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation now has a safety net of funds for any of our charities that may have an emergency requirement for funds outside our normal contributions,” said John Russell, the foundation’s president. “It is our hope to continue to grow this fund over the coming years.”
Food For Thought received $125,000 to provide nutritious meals for school-aged children on weekends, holidays and summer break. The fund this year will allow Food For Thought to expand into new areas and serve more than 1,000 children during the school year.
Over the years the foundation’s donations have had a major impact on Food For Thought.
“In 2013, we were working out of a borrowed, 200-square-foot closet with one employee, and serving 125 children each week,” said Tiffanie Nelson, executive director and founder of Food For Thought. “Thanks to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and others, we have since expanded to 15 schools, are now K-12, have a full time staff, acquired an operations facility and we reach nearly 800 students each week with an expected enrollment of at least 1,000 during the new school year.”
Youth Village received $140,000 to fund capital campaign purchase of land and facility construction and after-school programming for more than 40 low-income children along the Emerald Coast.
AMIkids Emerald Coast received $75,000 to offer a supportive, structured learning environment for high-risk youth through off-campus activities and other venues designed not only to teach but to gain respect and trust for their community.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast received $100,000 to allow 100 children across four counties to attend programming for one full year. The programing is designed to provide unique opportunities to learn, grow and to recognize youth for their achievements in an effort to steer youth clear of personal failure.
Children in Crisis received $220,000 to fund housing for abused, neglected and abandoned children. The new Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Travis Tringas home is expected to be open this fall and will provide stability, shelter, housing for parents, food, clothing and necessary items to help children live a healthy lifestyle.
Children’s Volunteer Health Network received $190,000 to fund and serve more than 1,000 underinsured and uninsured children in need of dental care. These funds will fund the Dental Bus, Dental Clinic and staff needed to assist with children in need of dental and medical care.
Emerald Coast Autism Center received $200,000 to fund scholarships, purchase of land and facility construction to serve children on the autism spectrum. The new Northwest Florida State College Campus Facility will allow Emerald Coast Autism Center to increase their capacity levels, serving up to 130 students.
Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center received $175,000 to support the mental health therapy and case advocacy program for children that have suffered from abuse and neglect. Funding will also aid in construction costs for the new Walton County facility.
Habitat for Humanity of Walton County received $162,000 to fund the building of two new homes for families with children.
Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity Inc. received $75,000 to support the children services department, including children’s coordinator, educational supplies, outdoor classroom, field trips and child care.
Pathways for Change received $220,000 for comprehensive addiction treatment programs including men’s residential treatment and operations for the family center.
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast received $225,000 to fund the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which will provide a larger nursery to accommodate a 10-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the future.
Shelter House of Northwest Florida received $165,000 to fund support groups, counseling and advocacy for youth ages 6 months to 17 years, touched by domestic violence.
The Arc of the Emerald Coast received $180,000 to complete expansion and renovations of the Children’s Center, transportation an aquatic center for children living with disabilities.
Destin Charity Wine Auction’s Children’s Fund received $48,000 that will serve as a contingency fund for charity partners and will be used as a safety net to serve children in need in the event of an emergency.
