Annual Report 2016

The Mission of the Foundation

Benefiting Children in Need in Northwest Florida

TThe mission of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is to connect wine enthusiasts to raise money to benefit children in need in Northwest Florida. Founded in 2005, DCWAF has donated more than $13 Million to Northwest Florida charities by hosting world-class wine and culinary events. These funds have impacted the lives of over 75,000 youth, including those afflicted by health issues and abuse. DCWAF has been recognized as one of the Nation’s ‘Top 10 Charity Wine Auctions in the U.S.’ by Wine Spectator Magazine, for four consecutive years.

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation proudly partners with the following agencies:

AMI Kids Emerald Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Children in Crisis, Inc., Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought Outreach, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, Opportunity Place, Pathways for Change, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Shelter House of Northwest Florida, and Youth Village.

“Help one person at a time,
and always start with the person nearest you.”

– Mother Teresa

Thoughts

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

2016 marked the start of the second decade of our foundation. We continued our history of again raising more money for children’s charities than ever before. In 2016 we raised and donated $2,660,000 to 14 charities plus the DCWAF Children’s Fund. We started this fund last year and its purpose is to reserve funds in the event one of our charities experiences an unexpected need. One of our charity partners referred to this as a safety net and we think that is a great description.

Our charity partners have benefited greatly from the ability of DCWAF to create a platform for fundraising. We can see the tangible results of the generosity of our board, donors, and bidders. What might not be as obvious is the fact that there is so much more to do. There are waiting lists of children and families for every charity we support. If these organizations were twice their current size they still could not meet the demand for their services. In many cases, for every child helped there are dozens more that are not receiving assistance.

As we move through our second decade we must stay focused on the future. While we are proud of past accomplishments, our work is far from complete. In 2017 you will see several key initiatives designed to continue to grow donated funds in an attempt to meet the growing needs of our community.

While we often focus on the financial side of what we accomplish with our charity partners, there is another element to our work that is also very important. Through our charity partnerships, we have created a community of organizations dedicated to helping children. Our charity partners collaborate together to effectively leverage their unique resources to help each other. For example, the CVHN mobile clinic visits Youth Village and Food for Thought is providing meals for AMIKids. Without DCWAF as the link for coordination, this synergistic work would likely not happen. When you support DCWAF you do more than just provide cash resources for our community; you are helping a much larger effort that showcases the value of grassroots community-based giving.

Sincerely,

John Russell
President
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Friends,

Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Year after year, this quote rings true because of the many people supporting the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and 2016 was no exception. The passion and effort of so many never ceases to amaze.

Throughout this annual report, you will see how living for others in our community plays out financially. Fourteen local charities will be greatly impacted for the 11th year in a row and thousands of children will have the care and attention they so desperately need.

These needed benefits would not be possible without the combined effort of our board, staff, and an endless number of volunteers. When those resources are combined with vintners, chefs, sponsors, and passionate patrons, the results are truly inspirational. It is with a joyful and humble heart that I say to each and every one of you… THANK YOU! For those of you reading and learning about our organization for the first time, we welcome you to get involved.

My prayer is that this effort continues to support children in a big way and will be forever hopeful the need constantly resonates with our community. One thing is for sure, the money raised this year further paves the road for children, but it will always be generosity that lights the way!

Dan Buckner
Chairman of the Board
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation

P.S. Thank you to Stephanie, Hadley and Hayden Buckner for allowing daddy to serve.

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BENEFICIARY Charities Of 2016

changing the lives of children

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation donated $2,660,000 to 14 Northwest Florida children’s charities on August 23 at WaterColor LakeHouse, marking the Foundation’s largest charitable distribution to date. Celebrating its 11 year anniversary, DCWAF has now donated more than $13 million to non-profit organizations serving children in Northwest Florida. This year’s results are an increase over the $2.3 million raised last year. In addition to funding the 14 local charities, DCWAF has realized a long-held dream to create a fund for future needs through the DCWAF Children’s Fund.

This fund is cash held in a separate account available to any of the DCWAF charities who have an imminent need. This year the DCWAF Children’s Fund received $55,000 to continue growing this safety net for emergency funding.

“DCWAF now has a safety net of funds for any of our charities that may have an emergency requirement for funds outside our normal contributions. It is our hope to continue to grow this fund over the coming years.” – John Russell, DCWAF President

AMIKids Emerald Coast

AMIKids Emerald Coast received $125,000 to fund one Mental Health Counseling Academic Interventionist to assist a high-risk youth. Funding will also allow facilities the purchase of a new, safe bus for students to be transported to and from school.

$125,000